An MDM PUBLICATION Issue 34 33 – May 2008
www.mdmpublishing.com
INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
THE GLOBAL VOICE FOR PASSIVE & ACTIVE FIRE PROTECTION
Always.
continuing symbol of quality, reliability and ingenuity since 1915. defender of life, property and the environment since 1939. participating member of NFPA since 1943.
May 2008 Issue 34
Contents
An MDM PUBLICATION Issue 34 33 – May 2008
4-15
News, Previews & Product Profiles
www.mdmpublishing.com
INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
17-20
Fire Detection: The State of Play
23-26
Life Safety Issues Associated with Colleges and Universities
29-31
THE GLOBAL VOICE FOR PASSIVE & ACTIVE FIRE PROTECTION
17-20
Total® –
Front cover courtesy of Tyco Fire Suppression & Building Products
33-34
37-39
Advanced Fire System Communications
Editorial Contributors
Ray Hope, Tim Williams, Ron Marcus, Mark Froggatt, Randy Clark, Graham Lowe, Steve Walker, Peter Kristenson, Claus Caspari, Jan Knappert, Heinrich David, Pete Harrod, Jeremy Mason and Marta Leon
41-43
Cradle to Grave Responsibility for Clean Agents
45-46
23-26
53-56
Descriptive Analysis on Water Mist Fire Extinguishing Systems
58-60
Rogue Cables – a Risk Not Worth Taking
62-65
37-39
INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
Repeating History is Not a Bad Thing: Recent Developments In The Firestop Industry
73-76
67-70
Portable Extinguishers – Training is the Key to Safe and Effective Use
73-76
Storage Tank Fire Protection – preparing for the worst
77-79
Reprints of articles are available on request. Prices on application to the Publishers.
Printed in Singapore
62-65
49-50
The views and opinions expressed in INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION are not necessarily those of MDM Publishing Ltd. The magazine and publishers are in no way responsible or legally liable for any errors or anomalies made within the editorial by our authors. All articles are protected by copyright and written permission must be sought from the publishers for reprinting or any form of duplication of any of the magazines content. Any queries should be addressed in writing to the publishers.
Page design by Dorchester Typesetting Group Ltd
Fire Protection at the Junction . . . Smoke, Heat and Flame – Making Sense of Detection
Annual Subscription UK – £35.00 Europe – ᇾ60 Overseas – US$70.00 lSSN – 1468-3873 DISCLAIMER:
53-56
Using Wireless Toxic Gas Monitors for Confined Space Entry During Plant Turnarounds
Publishers Mark Seton & David Staddon
IFP is published quarterly by: MDM Publishing Ltd The Abbey Manor Business Centre, The Abbey, Preston Road, Yeovil, Somerset BA20 2EN Tel: +44 (0) 1935 426 428 Fax: +44 (0) 1935 426 926 Email: dave.staddon@ifpmag.com website: www.ifpmag.com ©All rights reserved
Preview for the NFPA World Safety Conference & Exposition, June 2nd5th, Las Vegas, USA
Fire protection: Fire alarm systems
41-43
80
Advertisers’ Index
77-79 1
NEWS
SITA Awarded LPCB Approval After extensive product testing, the Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB) has awarded RAFIKI’s Sita intelligent addressable fire detection system with LPCB approval. The Sita 200 Plus from Rafiki is a fire detection system which allows up to 200 detectors and sounders to be connected on one loop, a specification currently unmatched in the marketplace. It features a maximum loop length of 2km, a fast short circuit isolator in every device and digital communication with high power transfer. Sita can be pre-configured on a PC or via a control panel on site, and for added flexibility there is a choice of up to 15 combinations of smoke or heat detection. Certification by the LPCB is a mark of excellent quality and safety. The LPCB is the leading international certification body in the fields of security and fire protection, and is recognised by governments and regulatory authorities across the world. Product approval is also maintained by regular product audits. Commenting on the certification, Rafiki managing director Bill Amlani said, “The
LPCB approval is a worldwide recognised standard of excellence and we are very pleased to have achieved this with Sita. The Sita system can support 200 multipoint combined detectors and sounders on a single loop, and importantly Sita equipment is easy to install, commission and maintain.” Further information is available from Rafiki Protection Ltd, telephone 01633 865558, by emailing phil@rafiki.biz or by visiting the company’s website www.rafiki.biz
SYNCRO MATRIX is a revolution in fire alarm mimic display technology Syncro Matrix from KENTEC uses flexible, fibre optic light guides to illuminate areas on a fire alarm mimic display floor plan, laid over a highresolution grid and it can be connected to any panel in Kentec’s Syncro and Syncro AS fire alarm panel range. Syncro Matrix is also uniquely flexible and futureproofed as it completely dispenses with wiring, enabling indicators to be moved, removed or added on site. Syncro Matrix can be supplied with or without LEDs and controls. Optional LEDs indicate Power on, Fire, Fault and Disablement and optional controls are for Alarm silence, Buzzer silence, Lamp test and Reset. Housed in attractive, 4
Rockwool Opens New London Headquarters As part of a major £70 million expansion plan, ROCKWOOL – the market leading manufacturer of stone wool insulation solutions – has announced the opening of a new corporate and marketing headquarters in Hammersmith, London. Managing director, Hans Schreuder, will be based at the new HQ, together with Rockwool’s corporate and marketing teams. Schreuder was appointed in May 2007 to oversee the expansion of Rockwool’s UK operations to meet growing demand for the company’s market leading products and solutions in the UK and Ireland. Commenting on the move, Hans Schreuder said: “Rockwool has aggressive targets for growth in the UK and we see expanding our UK operations to London as a key part of this process. “In addition to sending a positive message to the industry and investors, it will provide a strong base to lobby UK legislators and regulators, as part of our on-going campaign for greater transparency and clarity in fire safety and wider building regulations.” As well as establishing a new London HQ, Rockwool is also currently doubling capacity at its manufacturing facility in Bridgend, South Wales, which will be complete by the end of 2008. This large-scale expansion programme will include the installation of a third, technically-advanced production line, which will significantly increase Rockwool’s capacity and create 110 new skilled jobs. In addition, the investment programme will also see the creation of new warehousing, technical support and distribution facilities to support the increased capacity and ensure a responsive and flexible service, industry wide. For further information contact: Rockwool Limited Website: www.rockwool.co.uk slimline enclosures to match Syncro and Syncro AS fire alarm panels and with high quality, full colour or monochrome floor plans, Syncro Matrix provides a clear, geographical indication of fire alarm activation enabling speedy identification of the source of an alarm.
Syncro Matrix from Kentec – a clear, geographical indication of fire alarm activation for speedy identification of the source of an alarm
For more information please contact Kentec on +44 (0)1322 222121 Email: robine@kentec.co.uk or visit www.kentec.co.uk INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
PROFILE
New Total® Foam Portables meet industries’ needs The new TOTAL® range of premium-build foam portable fire extinguishers includes two industry-standard models, an antifreeze-protected portable, an environmentally-friendly cartridge-operated extinguisher, and a specialapplication foam portable specifically designed to fight polar liquid fires.
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TOTAL portables are available in the UK through Express Fire in Manchester on 0161 688 5050, or from Tyco Fire Suppression & Building Products on 01493 417600. INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
he two industry-standard models are 6-litre and 9-litre portables that are suitable for both Class A fires that involve wood, paper, straw and textiles, and Class B flammable liquid fires involving petrol, tar, paints and oils. The Kitemarked and BAFE-approved AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foam) extinguishers are also Wheel-mark certified for use in maritime environments. Significantly, they leave no particulates or harmful residue and so have zero effect on the earth’s ozone layer. The antifreeze-protected version of the 6-litre portable can withstand temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees C and so is ideal for use on forecourts, loading bays, quaysides and in warehouses. The TOTAL Eco Range 6-litre foam portable offers users a major environmental bonus, as the foam concentrate is completely encapsulated within a cartridge inside the extinguisher. This maximises the life of the foam concentrate. The cylinder is pressurised only when in use, and the foam is propelled by CO2 (Carbon Dioxide). The cartridge can be removed from the cylinder prior to discharge for testing and re-use, and it can be environmentally-friendly recycled at the end of its working life. In addition to these “standard” foam portables, the new special-application 6-litre TOTAL foam portable is effective on a whole raft of polar liquids, including alcohol, methanol, acetone, propanol and ethanol. It is specifically designed to fight polar liquid fires that are prone to occur in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and adhesive production environments, and in distilling industries. It should also be of particular interest to manufacturers of household, commercial and industrial cleaning products and disinfectants. This portable overcomes the ineffectiveness of conventional foam extinguishers on polar fires by the use of a specially-formulated foam agent developed by TOTAL, and the incorporation of a nozzle designed to deliver the optimum foam density. It too is part of the TOTAL Eco Range offering, encapsulating the foam
concentrate within a cartridge inside the extinguisher. All of these new foam portables were developed at the dedicated TOTAL portables research and manufacturing facility in Neuruppin in Germany. Virtually every stage of cylinder manufacture is under the direct control of TOTAL, including material selection and sourcing in Europe, the most advanced lowheat plasma welding, fabrication, assembly and high-performance powder-coating, 100 percent cylinder pressure testing and agent filling. This commitment to quality is underpinned by uniquely numbering each and every cylinder to provide a complete and reliable quality audit trail. All TOTAL portables are manufactured from specially formulated steel that remains flexible after forming and welding. The one-millimetre-thick internal powder coating is widely recognised as the industry’s most hardwearing surface. Every cylinder is electrode-tested to ensure that there are no pin-point flaws in the coating, and the quality of the finish can be judged by the fact that there is a complete absence of colour fading that is a common feature of many inferior quality cylinders. Even the cylinder wall-mounting brackets are designed to ensure that there is no metal-to-metal or metal-to-wall scuffing. TOTAL portables are guaranteed for five years, providing they are serviced from new in accordance IFP with the appropriate regulatory standards. 5
NEWS
NOTIFIER to Showcase Mass Notification and Complete Line of UL 864 Ninth Edition Listed Fire Systems at NFPA World Safety Conference NOTIFIER, a world leading manufacturer of commercial fire alarm technology and systems, will exhibit its new Mass Notification solutions product line and its UL 864 Ninth Edition listed ONYX® Series of intelligent fire alarm control systems at the upcoming NFPA World Safety
Conference & Exposition, June 2-4, 2008, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV. In the event of an emergency, NOTIFIER Mass Notification systems broadcast live, up-to-the minute emergency information to everyone in a building, campus, and
Hochiki Commemorates 90 Years Of Fire Safety HOCHIKI EUROPE, the UK-based subsidiary of the Tokyo-based Hochiki Corporation, which designs, manufactures and markets a broad selection of fire detection and alarm products, is commemorating the Japanese company’s 90th year in the fire safety business. Founded in 1918, the company installed Japan’s first public fire alarm in 1920 and developed the world’s first addressable manual call point. Today, it is an international business with an annual global turnover in excess of £400 million. Currently it manufactures more than five million detectors every year, and has the largest fire test laboratory in the world. Hochiki Europe was established in the UK in 1992 and is headquartered at a purpose-built facility in Gillingham, Kent, from where it manages Hochiki’s extensive business interests throughout the EMEA region, Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States, and the Indian subcontinent. With more than 100 employees, the UK-based operation presently produces annually in excess of 800,000 conventional and intelligent detectors and ancillaries. Commenting on the anniversary, Hochiki Europe’s Managing Director, Ms Minako Adachi says:”Hochiki 6
Corporation’s history is one of dedication to improving life safety and the protection of property. Our continuous investment in developing new and ever more reliable technology for the early and accurate detection of fire demonstrates that 90 years later Hochiki is still as committed to improving life safety across the world.” She continues: “In the past year we have introduced several new products and have expanded our UK and international sales teams to enable us to provide enhanced service levels to our trading partners.” Further information is available by telephone on +44 (0)1634 260133, or via email at news@hochikieurope.com. The company’s website is at www.hochikieurope.com
surrounding area to help prevent injuries and save lives. For multiple buildings or campuses spread across a city, state or even the globe, NOTIFIER has harnessed the latest Voice over IP (VoIP) technology, delivering live voice messaging to anywhere in the world via the Internet. NOTIFIER Mass Notification systems fit a wide range of facility types and applications including K-12 schools, highrises, and mass transit hubs, as well as college, university, and manufacturing campuses. The ONYX Series of intelligent fire alarm control panels speeds alarm response, simplifies maintenance and usability, and maximizes flexibility. The ONYX Series is comprised of the NFS-320 for small applications such as restaurants, strip malls, and standalone retail facilities, the NFS2-640 for mid-size applications like office buildings, assisted living facilities, and school buildings, and the NFS2-3030 for larger installations such as high-rise buildings, hospitals, shopping malls, and airports. The ONYX Series is also the only complete line of fire alarm control panels in the industry that meets the new UL 864 Ninth Edition standard today. All ONYX Series panels features NOTIFIER’s patented FlashScan® intelligent device polling protocol, which exceeds worldwide code requirements for response time. This, combined with ONYX Intelligent Sensing technology, an integral part of all ONYX Series panels, ensures a faster response to smoke and heat conditions while substantially reducing nuisance alarms. Each panel also offers built in synchronization protocol for System Sensor, Wheelock, and Gentex notification appliances. Learn more about NOTIFIER Mass Notification Solutions, the ONYX Series, and UL 864 Ninth Edition, visit NOTIFIER at booth 1015 at the NFPA World Safety Conference and Expo, June 2-4, 2008, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
PROFILE
Draka Offers Greater Choice and Superior Service Draka, the Derby-based cable manufacturer, now provides the market with the widest possible choice of low voltage cable, following the implementation of a pan-European manufacturing strategy focused around how best to meet the market’s needs in every country.
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Full details on Draka products are available by telephone on +44 (0) 1332 345431, by fax on +44 (0) 1332 331237, and via email at firetuf@draka.com. The company’s website can be found at www.drakauk.com INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
he company has harnessed its entire panEuropean manufacturing capability for the benefit of all of its customers. This provides every Draka customer, in every country, with access to the production resources of 13 separate low voltage cable manufacturing plants, the latest of which is in the Czech Republic and is arguably the most advanced building wire plant in Europe. This has several customer benefits over the approach more commonly adopted within the cable industry, which is to implement a narrow country-by-country policy, where each country’s manufacturing plant operates in virtual isolation. With Draka, customers can choose from the market’s broadest selection of world-class products, and they are ensured of consistently high cross-boundary quality. At the same time, the company has launched two new cables. Both complement the company’s award-winning Firetuf range of performance cables that today embraces low voltage (cables up to 1kV) building wires and power cables that are available throughout the UK, Ireland and the Middle East. Saffire is a new generation of 0HLS – Halogen Free – cable that sets a new and higher level of fire safety performance, while Firetuf Powerplus is a new 600/1000V SWA (Steel Wired Armoured) power cable that provides enhanced circuit integrity performance. It meets the demanding requirements of BS 7346-6:2005 and the more stringent demands of, for example, the UK’s Approved Document B (Fire safety) 2006 of the Building Regulations for England and Wales. Saffire 0HLS enables consultants to specify cable that provides enhanced safety in line with the latest fire safety legislation, and greatly assists in identifying that superior fire safety is being incorporated into a building. Saffire 0HLS also sets a new benchmark brand for third-party approved fire safety cabling, extending the safety benefits of 0HLS cables to a much wider marketplace. Increasingly, fire safety systems require a secure power supply that will retain its integrity in the event of fire, which highlights the imperative need for enhanced performance power cables. Such systems include: automatic fire suppression installations; fire detection and alarm systems; fire compartmentation; smoke control and ventilation; sprinklers and wet risers; ventilation and shutters; and firefighting lifts. In Firetuf Powerplus, Draka has developed a solution that uniquely meets this requirement. It utilises high-performance materials to achieve BS 7346’s
maximum 120-minute rating when subjected to integrated testing involving flame irradiation exposure, direct impact and high-pressure water spray. It has been introduced to provide the superior performance characteristics required by today’s sophisticated fire engineering solutions that are becoming increasingly commonplace, and the more widespread utilisation of fire engineering principles and techniques that call for greater reliance on complex life and property protection systems and protocols.
New catalogue and cables handbook Draka has also published its latest all-products catalogue. It runs to a full 108 pages and describes in detail the company’s entire range of third-party approved cables that meet the demands of the vast majority of construction and industrial applications. This includes house wiring and low voltage supply cables for use in domestic, commercial, retail, healthcare and leisure sector buildings. It also covers specialist communication and data transmission cables, and Draka’s market-leading fire performance cables that are used extensively for safety-critical applications within the general construction, petrochemicals, security and mass transit sectors. The company has also published the 2008 edition of its cable and table handbook called A Closer Look at Cable. It runs to over 200 pages and, like its predecessor, is expected to become essential reading for anyone involved in specifying or installing cabling – architects, fire engineers, system IFP designers and installers. 7
NFPA PREVIEW
This June more than 5,000 fire and life safety, electrical and security professionals will convene in Las Vegas for NFPA®’s World Safety Conference & Exposition® (WSC&E®) – and it’s sure to be a hit! With annual attendance increasing by 137% since 2003, the WSC&E is the undeniable industry leader in the fire, life safety and electrical sectors. This event is truly like no other – it offers an unrivaled educational experience, networking opportunities and invaluable solutions to your on the job challenges. The Education Conference his year’s conference will feature more than 150 education sessions within 11 conference tracks. In 2008 the special track on Fire Protection Engineering sponsored by the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE), will once again take place. In addition, the Building and Life Safety track will be expanded to offer more than 30 sessions. The Building and Life Safety Track concentrates on practical information needed by designers, engineers, and building and fire officials, such as plans review, inspection techniques, and updates on code requirements, new technologies, and best practices. Rounding out the conference tracks are: ● Codes and Standards – includes information on the reasons behind important code changes and how they will be implemented, and applies specific code requirements to particular occupancies. ● Detection and Suppression – Focuses on code requirements and design issues, the application of new technologies in alarm and suppression systems, and the impact of maintenance on systems performance. ● Disaster Preparedness/Business Continuity – Includes information on assessing risks and consequences, emergency preparedness, contingency planning, incident management, and recovery plans. ● Fire and Emergency Services – Includes current information on fire-fighting apparatus and technologies, safety and preparedness for first responders, incident command strategies, and fire prevention and inspection techniques. ● Industrial Fire Safety and Security – provides practical information centered on environmental health and safety, and loss prevention issues. ● necforum™ – Considers new electrical design issues, successful maintenance programs, best practices in electrical contracting, effective
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inspection techniques, and practical electrical safety programs. Premises Security – Examines issues related to creating and implementing security plans, as well as designing, installing, and maintaining security systems. Public Education – Includes fire and life safety planning and strategies. Also offers the latest in safety education including challenges and creative solutions. Research – Considers the latest information available on many timely issues, such as video smoke and flame detection systems and reliability of water mist fire protection systems.
Spotlight Sessions Within these 11 conference tracks are sessions that are highlighted due to their focus on current industry topics and relevancy. Enhance your professional growth and learn from leading authorities by attending one of these five Spotlight Sessions: ● Sprinkler Actuation with Low-Speed HighVolume Fans ● Health Care Occupancy Changes to the 2009 NFPA 101®, Life Safety Code® ● Recommendations of the U.S. Chemical Safety Board ● Things You Will Want to Know About the 2010 NFPA 72® ● CANCELLED – The Monte Carlo Fire – Challenges and Lessons Learned The Exposition The three-day product exposition will showcase many of the latest technologies and services from more than 300 of the top solution providers in the fire and life safety, electrical, and security industries. Knowledgeable representatives from these companies will be available to answer your questions and offer solutions to your most pressing challenges. The exposition provides attendees the INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
NFPA PREVIEW ideal location to see, touch and try products as well as meet with a company’s technical staff. As always, the exposition is free when you register in advance.
Ask the Experts This informal Q&A session held on the exposition floor is a great feature of the WSC&E. During this 21/2-hour time period, NFPA staff will field code related questions from attendees. This helpful question and answer session offers you a chance to find solutions to some of your most pressing code related challenges. Make sure that you are available for this session on Wednesday June 4 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. Pre-Conference Seminars The 2008 NFPA World Safety Conference & Exposition will officially begin on June 2nd, but many people find the lure of NFPA’s pre-conference seminars hard to ignore. Some of these seminars will only be offered in Las Vegas and is a true compliment to attending the exposition. This year NFPA is offering 23 pre-conference seminars on Saturday, May 31, and Sunday, June 1. These seminars are priced separately from the main conference and are offered at a substantial discount from NFPA’s regular seminar pricing. ● Six 1-Day Seminars are being offered on Saturday ❍ Emergency and Standby Power ❍ Emergency Evacuation for People with Disabilities ❍ NEC® Changes ❍ NFPA1/UFC – Spray Booth ❍ NFPA 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers ❍ Stallcup’s Grounding & Bonding ● Ten 2-Day Seminars are being offered on Saturday and Sunday ❍ CFPS Primer ❍ Environment of Care BaseCamp ❍ Fire Protection Plans Review ❍ Fire Protection Systems and Equipment Maintenance ❍ NFPA 1, Uniform Fire Code™ ❍ NFPA 1600, Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs ❍ NFPA 70E®, Electrical Safety in the Workplace® ❍ NFPA 921, Fire and explosion Investigations ❍ Public Information and Media Relations ❍ Sprinkler Hydraulics ● Six 1-Day Seminars are being offered on Sunday ❍ Dust Explosion Hazards ❍ Emergency Evacuation and Relocation ❍ NFPA 1/UFC – Hazardous Material ❍ NFPA 99, Health Care Facilities ❍ Stallcup’s High-Voltage Electrical Systems ❍ Behind-the-Scenes Tour & Technical Presentation – JUST ADDED! Association Technical Meeting Session At the heart of the codes and standards development process is the technical committee report session. More than 25 documents are up for review this June including NFPA 101, Life Safety Code and NFPA 70E, Electrical Safety in the Workplace. Don’t miss this opportunity to see the code making process in action. Documents that cover aircraft and airport facilities rescue and fire fightINTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
Penn & Teller ing, fire tests, forest and rural fire protection, building codes, life safety, hazardous materials response personnel, pyrotechnics and more will be voted on during these sessions. New for 2008, all technical committee members will receive a 20% off conference registration prices. In addition, a technical committee AND an NFPA member your discount is may be greater! For more information, visit nfpa.org/wsce.
General Session Special Presentation During the WSC&E General Session on Monday, June 2 enjoy an amazing Las Vegas magic show featuring Penn & Teller. This dynamic duo is a couple of eccentric guys who have learned how to do a few cool things together. Together since 1975, their award-winning theater show has been a long-running hit on and off-Broadway. This duo has currently has a nightly show at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Las Vegas Although ‘Vegas’ may be notorious for gambling, did you know that Las Vegas offers much more than casinos and bright lights? When you travel to Las Vegas, you enter a world that will captivate you by its international flare, exquisite dining choices and many award winning shows. You are sure to be impressed by the unique building structures, massive hotels and the countless attractions, sights and sounds of this destination city. Flights to Las Vegas are relatively inexpensive; couple that with endless dining options and reasonable hotel rates, and you have a perfect destination for any company budget. Come to the 2008 NFPA World Safety Conference & Exposition for an incomparable learning experience, and be sure to explore all that Las Vegas has to offer. Find out IFP more at nfpa.org/wsce! 9
NEWS
FIRERAY 5000 from Fire Fighting Enterprises Underwriters Laboratories Inc. has evaluated and listed their first motorised beam detector as compliant with the American National Standards for safety. The FIRERAY 5000 from FIRE FIGHTING ENTERPRISES now boasts certification from UL in addition to LPCB, VdS, CPD & EN54:12, breaking new ground in the development of this smoke detection technology. The F5000 incorporates several technological advancements that set it apart from previous detectors. A newly-developed motorised beam head works in conjunction with the sensor to automatically optimise the signal strength throughout the life of the unit. This works to keep the beam aligned with the reflective prism even in the event of gradual building shift, and can also factor in environmental factors such as dust build-up. These features strengthen false alarm immunity over time, and help to reduce the need for maintenance operations. These new additions for the F5000 improve its functionality, whilst it retains the benefits intrinsic to the tried, tested and trusted beam technology that has preceded it: large area coverage per unit (~19800 sq ft as opposed to ~900 sq ft for a point type detector), reduced cabling and installation costs, and minimal aesthetic intrusion. The FIRERAY’s low-level system controller is connected to the detector head by a two-wire cable, and can be used to fully control and adjust the beam – making installation significantly easier. The detector head houses both the transmitter and receiver, with the beam being bounced off a prismatic reflector on the opposite wall. Beam-type detectors are particularly suited to protecting wide indoor spaces such as warehouses, open-plan offices, corridors and meeting-halls. By covering large areas with few units, costs and disruptions caused by installation and maintenance can be greatly reduced, and the fire security system can be much less obtrusive – which can be of particular benefit in historic or stylish settings. Fire Fighting Enterprises can offer a complete range of optical beam smoke detectors for all applications. Products include end-to-end, reflective and flameproof variants. Further information and data sheets can be found on our website at www.ffeuk.com 10
Draka’s cable performance helps bring dome back to life
DRAKA has played an important part in breathing new life into the old Millennium Dome in Greenwich. It has supplied 80 kilometres of its award-winning Firetufplus “enhanced” fire rated cable for the renamed O2 arena’s sophisticated fire detection and alarm system that will protect concert goers and sports fans. The cabling was used by Epsom-based Carmel Building Services to install over 900 smoke detectors, 50 call points and eight networked control panels throughout the venue. O2, which is owned and operated by AEG (Anschutz Entertainment Group), is being heralded as “Europe’s finest indoor music and sports venue”. When it opens later this year it will host a variety of mega-star entertainment events, including Justin Timberlake and Scissor Sisters concerts, and a host of major sporting events including, ice hockey, basketball, tennis, gymnastics and boxing. Described by AEG as “a city-within-acity”, the O2 arena will be surrounded by an entertainment district that will open to all, night and day. This will comprise a number of leisure attractions, including an 11-screen cinema, exhibition space, an indigo music club, restaurants, bars and cafés, all lining an avenue as wide and long as Bond Street. With such a complex redevelopment of the 365-metre diameter, 50-metre high dome, and with visitor numbers to events running into their tens of thousands, quality was the deciding factor when it came to selecting the fire rated cabling. According to Carmel Building Services’ Ray
Cavendish, Firetufplus was chosen “because of its proven performance and particularly because of its superior pliability, its robustness and flame retardancy”. Firetufplus exceeds the requirements of BS 5839 Clause 26.2e, providing 60 minutes fire and mechanical protection, followed by 60 minutes of fire, mechanical impact and water protection. In common with all Draka’s Firetuf cables, its performance is verified by BASEC (British Approvals Service for Cables) and LPCB (Loss Prevention Certification Board) independent testing and approval. It is an OHLS – Zero Halogen, Low Smoke – cable that meets the “enhanced” category of BS5839 – 1:2002. It is available in long lengths and has a twisted core construction to improve signal clarity. Other benefits that added to its attraction for the O2 arena contract included lower termination costs, legendary ease of handling and installation, and the lack of any need for special tools or training. Derby-based Draka UK is the country’s leading designer and manufacturer of fire performance cables, zero halogen power cables and building wires. The company is part of Netherlands-based Draka Holdings NV, which has over 9,000 employees worldwide. Full details on Firetuf and other Draka products are available by telephone on +44 (0) 1332 345431, by fax on +44 (0) 1332 331237, and via email at firetuf@draka.com. The company’s website can be found at www.drakauk.com INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
PROFILE
Mass Notification Solution for UK Naval Base Cooper Notification – the platform which comprises Fulleon, MEDC, Wheelock, Roam Secure and MadahCom – has supplied the world’s largest site-wide radio public address/mass notification system for HM Naval Base in Portsmouth.
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For more information contact: Bob Choppen Product Manager, Cooper Fulleon Tel: +44 (0)1633 628500 Web:www.fulleon.co.uk INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
he system was commissioned by the Royal Navy’s facilities management company, Fleet Support Ltd, from Fareham based commercial sound specialists, Sound Advice PA Installations Ltd. The requirement was for an audio/visual sitewide personnel alerting system for Her Majesty’s Naval Base, Portsmouth, including the site’s Heritage Museum areas. Extensive research was undertaken regarding the various signal distribution methods and a secure, wireless system proved to be the most economical solution. Although such systems are used throughout the world in US military bases, government buildings and high profile tourist attractions, this is the first of its type to be employed in the UK. The system features three computer controlled base stations, providing full audio coverage over the entire 333 acre site. Some 255 digital radio transceivers and 570 loudspeakers allow both digital, pre-recorded messages and live speech to be transmitted to selected single radio units, multiple units (ie pre-defined zones) or throughout the whole site. The complex layout of the site which includes dockyard buildings, cobbled streets, rail tracks, dry docks and historically significant buildings presented significant problems for the traditional approach. This would have involved extensive cabling between amplifiers and loudspeakers, both externally and internally, causing what were deemed to be unacceptable levels of disruption. Also, the budgetary costs of over £1million for the cabling infrastructure alone made a conventional solution financially prohibitive. By adopting a wireless system, not only were significant cost savings made but disruption to the site and its day-to-day operations were kept to a minimum, with an installation period of only 15 weeks. Given the military significance of the site, the heightened threat from terrorism, along with other potential security breaches, were the focus of the system design. Conventional cabled systems rely on the integrity of the cable and its connections. By adopting a wireless approach, this concern was removed, but in its place came the potential vulnerability of the radio signal. Because
scanners purchased from any High Street electrical component retailer can be used to jam or interfere with the signals, radio is often used only as a back-up to conventional cabled systems. However, on the Portsmouth site, Sound Advice employed a totally secure digital radio technology designed by the military for battlefield communications. It transmits using a spread-spectrum, frequency-hopping signal in the 2.4 GHz band, changing randomly at up to 85 times a second to make jamming impossible. It is the only system to have passed the Joint Chiefs of Staff Anti Terrorism/Force Protection criteria in the USA and is the preferred system for US military bases worldwide. Under circumstances that may compromise a conventional system, the radio signal will seek another active unit and continue to broadcast. Along with visitors to the Historic Dockyard, there can be thousands of military and civilian staff in the Naval Base at any one time. This innovative system has been designed to provide immediate, site-wide information for any major incidents and can be used in conjunction with other security measures such as CCTV and perimeter intrusion IFP protection systems. 11
International Water Mist Conference 2008 17 & 18 September, 2008 Copenhagen, Denmark
The 8th International Water Mist Conference is presented by the
in conjunction with independent member institutions Please see
www.iwma.net for more information
The conference includes a site visit on the second day at the Danish Institute of Fire & Security Technology DBI with real fire demonstrations Registration Name _______________________________ First Name _____________________________ Organization Address ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Tel.: ________________________________ Fax: ______________________________________E-mail: _____________________________ Payment received on or before 27 June Payment received after 27 June On-Site Registration Bank transfer
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PROFILE
Cranford Controls – covering your every fire safety need Due to an increasing amount of legislations put in place regarding fire safety, builders, architects, business and service providers all have a responsibility to make sure all persons within their premises are safe. Because of this they are constantly looking for the best possible fire safety equipment, many turn to Cranford Controls, with their up to date and constantly expanding product portfolio, for peace of mind.
C
ranford Controls was established in 1993 and has grown from strength to strength to become a leading UK independent manufacturer of sounders, beacons and ancillary devices. Their range is further expanded by their well established distribution agreements with manufacturers of complimentary products ensuring that Cranford Controls can cover your every fire safety need. Recently developed and now available is Cranford’s brand new VSO LED base sounder/ beacon. This innovative product enables, through its specially designed lens, light to be diffused in all directions providing a full 360° light output, being the first one like it to the fire safety market. As this product enables both a visual and audible indication of a fire it is compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act, which is of ever growing importance. The product is available with a choice of clear, red, amber or blue lens with complimentary and custom LED’s to ensure optimum light output, and in an option of 4 or 32 tone choices. In-keeping with Cranford Controls’ original VSO, their VSO LED is also engineered to fit all leading brands of smoke detectors and can be used with or without this; a lockable cover plate is also available when a detector is not in use. The VSO LED base sounder/beacon is also EN54-3 approved. Cranford Controls is also listed as a preferred distributor of Fireco products, and have recently added the Dorgard (door retainer), Deafgard and System X to their distributed products range. All of these products are wireless, and work via acoustic
INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
and radio signals, and all feature a fail safe mode. They are also compliant with the DDA. The Deafgard is perfect for use in hotels, for example, where there is the possibility of deaf or hard of hearing people staying, who will need to be woken from their sleep in the case of a fire in an effective manner. Door Retainers are an ideal preventative against the spread of fire and smoke, shutting the fire door upon the triggering of a fire alarm. The most popular types are electromagnetic and acoustic/radio controlled all of which Cranford Controls supply. Cranford’s well established and popular range is their flagship VTG sounders, VXB beacons and VTB sounder/beacons. These are all available with either a red or white body, and all beacons with a choice lens colour of clear, red, amber or blue, the same as all of their products with lenses. All are aesthetically pleasing. For further information on any of our products or about what else is in our range please do not hesitate to contact one of our friendly sales team on +44 (0) 1420 592 444 and they will be happy IFP to help.
13
PROFILE
Alcohol Resistant F In Extremely Low T Recent oil and gas discoveries have been found in the most inhospitable climates, where extremes of temperature are common, notably the Middle East where blackbody temperature can achieve +90°C and within the artic circles of –40°C and lower.
By Jan Knappert and Heinrich David
T
hese extremely low temperatures have given fire fighters severe difficulties in Fire Fighting Foam Concentrate selection when dealing with fuels containing alcohols and polar solvents. Originally Alcohol Resistant Foams were developed using Polysaccharide Polymer Additive to form a stable blanket between the fuel and foam blanket, this minimises vapourisation of the fuel and minimises the alcohol absorbing the water in the foam bubble wall and causing it to break down and become ineffective. In low temperature environments these Polysaccharide containing foams become extremely viscous because of their chemical composition (they are also known as Thixotropic or Non-Newtonian Liquids) and are then difficult to pump, at temperatures below –15°C, they will start to solidify and will be rendered unusable. Ongoing product development between MSR Dosiertechnik GmbH and Dr Sthamer – Hamburg,
have developed not only a revolutionary low temperature foam for use at extremely low temperatures down to –25°C but also the means to proportion accurately at these extremely low temperatures. FireDos is water driven foam proportioner, which does not require any external energy. Changing flow-rates, working pressures and viscosities of the dosing material have no influence of the admixing-rate. The system consists mainly of a water motor and a piston pump. The foam concentrate is stocked in an atmospheric tank. The shaft of the water motor and the shaft of the piston pump are connected over a clutch. The whole water volume to the foam generators is passing the water motor. The number of rotations of the water motor are flow-proportional. The water motor is actuating a piston pump. The discharge volume of the piston pump is proportional to the number of rotation.
The intelligent choice for admixing systems • • • • •
No external energy required Working flow-proportional Easy installation and handling Retrofitting into existing systems possible Versions for stationary installations, or vehicles and mobile applications available, also for use with seawater • Large flow ranges and dosing ranges covered • Not affected by changing pressure or flow rate • Suitable for all common fire-fighting liquids Auf der Kaulbahn 6 • D-61200 Wölfersheim • Germany Tel. +49(0 )60 36/ 97 96-0 • Fax +49(0 )60 36/ 97 96-30 • E-Mail msr@msr-dosiertechnik.de
www.firedos.de 14
INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
PROFILE
oam Proportioning emperatures foam concentrate. Between the system with foam tank and the injection point can be a distance up to 1,000 metres away. With features like reducing of the minimum flow can the flow-range expanded up to 1:100. FireDos has the VdS approval, the KFI (Korean Fire Institute), GL (Germanischer Lloyd, Marine approval), GOST-R approval (Russian Federation), approval from the Czech and Slovakian Republic. Applied for FM approval. The first batch of these units are in the FM laboratories for testing IFP procedures.
PRODUCT NEWS MOUSSOL APS LV 1⳯1
Any change of water flow changes without any delay the discharge volume of the piston pump, therefore the concentration remain constant. The combination between water motor (positive displacement system) and piston pump (positive displacement system) create a accurate admixing rate, also in case of admixing rates of 1% or lower. FireDos creates a pressure loss in the water system. The pressure loss is depending of the flowrate, the working pressure and the admixing-rate. In case of a maximum flow-rate, a water pressure from around 10 bar and an admixing rate of 1% the pressure loss will be approx. 1 bar. The system is able to admix all types of common fire fighting foam concentrates, also alcohol resistant foam concentrates and protein foams. In combination with the right foam concentrate and foam generators low expansion, medium expansion and high expansion foams can be produced. An excellent combination is FireDos and Dr Sthamer – Hamburg Moussol APS LV 1x1 Alcohol resistant low viscosity foam concentrate with an admixing rate of 1%. Foam temperatures from minus 27°C and plus 25°C had no influences of the admixing rate. An ad-mixing rate 1.08% was achieved across the whole temperature range with different water flows and water pressures. Many installations have now been made with this combination of ad-mixer and foam concentrate. FireDos is a compact admixing system and can be used for any fire fighting application, like fixed installations, in fire trucks, on ships, off shore in mobile applications. The water can be fresh water, brackish water or sea water. The systems are in flow-rates from 10 l/min and 20,000 l/min, with fixed, in steps changing or simultaneously changing admixing-rates from 0,1% up to 10%, working pressures from 16 bar, 25 bar and 40 bar and working temperatures up to 50°C and 80°C available. The biggest advantage of FireDos is, that the system can be tested under real conditions foam to water without producing any premix solution. An other possibility is the remote injection of the INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
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Headquarters Liebigstr. 5 · D-22113 Hamburg Telephone +49 (0) 40-73 61 68-0 Telefax +49 (0) 40-73 61 68-60 E-Mail: info@sthamer.com · www.sthamer.com
Branch Office Königsteiner Str. 5 · D-01796 Pirna Telephone +49 (0) 35 01-46 44 84 + 52 40 06 Telefax +49 (0) 35 01-46 44 85
15
DETECTION SYSTEMS Discovery Multisensor: Multisensor detectors, proven in the field to reduce false alarms, combine smoke and heat detection elements
Fire Detection: The State of Play By Tim Williams President, Apollo America
Tim Williams, President, Apollo America, looks at the latest developments in fire detection technology.
A
more educated market, tighter regulations and a better understanding of the nature of fire has led to some significant developments in fire detection technology within the last few years. The market has moved from a relatively simple choice between conventional and analogue addressable fire detectors to a position of considerable sophistication in the types of detection methods and product designs on offer. Identifying the correct type of fire detector for an application is largely a question of establishing what type of fire is likely to be encountered and what fire detection technology is available. There are some basic questions you need to ask in order to arrive at the best possible fire detection solution.
What do we want from a fire detector? The objective is to save lives and protect property, so we want a fire detector to detect fires, to avoid unwanted alarms and to buy time for people to escape and for a fire-fighting response. How does a fire detector work? Fire detectors cannot detect a fire directly. They only detect the symptoms of a fire. ‘General INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
purpose’ detectors need the combustion products – smoke particles, gas, heat or radiation – to travel to their sensors where they must be differentiated from similar effects not relating to a fire, such as cooking fumes, condensation or dust.
What type of fire is likely to be encountered? Typically, a fire will start as a low energy fire – smouldering in some way – with the risk of developing into a high energy fire. Given the correct combination of fuel and air, the conflagration may quickly or instantly be a high energy fire. There are endless variables. What technology is available? When designing a fire protection system, it is important to understand and identify the characteristics and fuel material of a potential fire, the environment in which the detector will be sited and the risk of fire. For general use, smoke detectors are recommended since they give the highest level of protection – providing sufficient early warning to allow the evacuation of occupants. Smoke detection traditionally meant a choice between ionisation or optical sensor types, but 17
FIRE DETECTION: THE STATE OF PLAY
DETECTION SYSTEMS
Mini Switch Monitor: The new Mini Switch Monitor measures just 39mm x 39mm x 20mm for projects where space is limited
issues over shipment and disposal of the small radioactive source in the former have largely ruled this technology out. Optical smoke detectors are equipped with an infrared LED and detector arranged to measure light scattered by smoke particles. They are good for a wide range of smoke types symptomatic of early stages of fire i.e. slow-burning, smouldering fires that produce smoke with large particles. They are also insect immune and offer improved designs for airflow and drift compensation. Heat detection uses thermistor sensors – a reliable and inexpensive technology that offers protection in areas such as kitchens, saunas and garages, where the environment has a high presence of airborne smoke or vapour particles. However, heat detectors only respond when a fire is well-established and generating a high heat output – offering no early warning of fire. Another means of fire detection is the carbon monoxide (CO) detector. Using an electrochemical cell, the CO detector provides good early warning of deep-seated, smouldering fires and is unaffected by common sources of unwanted alarms such as steam, cooking or dust. However, CO detection should only be used as an adjunct to general purpose smoke detectors – never as a substitute.
Multisensors For their sheer flexibility, multisensors, of which there are several types, are the best general-
purpose detectors currently available. The most established type offer a combination of smoke and heat sensors, combining optical readings with temperature change to give a rapid response to the widest range of fire of any detector type, dramatically improving rejection of unwanted false alarms. The dual optical detector is a more recent introduction. This type of device uses two internal LEDs which, it is claimed, can determine particle size, enabling the device to distinguish between steam and smoke because water vapour has larger particles than smoke from a fire. While laboratory tests can be used to demonstrate this proposition, care must be taken. This type of device must not reject smoke as well as steam, or a genuine alarm will be suppressed with potentially serious consequences. Both types of multisensor device are capable of operating in a number of different modes, often referred to as sensitivity settings. These different settings are provided to enable users to select the most appropriate operating mode for the local environment in which that device is sited – a mechanism for false alarm reduction. The sensitivity of the device can therefore be set depending on whether it is, say, in a hotel bedroom with an en suite shower or in a communal corridor in a house of multiple occupation. Care should be taken to ensure that the multisensor has passed the approvals test in every operating mode. If the approval does not apply for some of the operating modes, it limits the choice of setting available. This could lead to the device being less effective than it could be, or to the device invalidating insurance cover if it is found to be programmed for a non-compliant setting in the event of a fire. Multisensors can also provide an option for switching between multisensor mode and heatonly mode. This allows protection during fire verification and is also proving useful in university accommodation blocks or nurses’ quarters where cooking can cause nuisance alarms. It has also been used successfully in theatres where special effects such as dry ice could cause false ‘smoke’ readings.
The National Indoor Arena has just installed multisensors to combat false alarms in the multiuse arena 18
INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
See us on Booth 513
NFPA World Safety Conference & Exposition . June 2–5 2008 . Las Vegas, Nevada
5 modes
approved The purpose of a fire detector is to save lives and that’s the top priority of Apollo’s design engineers. Good design means reliability of detection.
Officially tested and approved in all five operating modes.
But a good design means much more: it means the lowest possible incidence of false alarms caused by the detector. At Apollo, attention to the detail of mechanical and electronic design means detectors that have a reputation for reliability of alarm and very low false alarm incidence. Take the Discovery range. It operates in one of five panel-selectable modes to suit the environment of installation. Algorithms process measured values to decide if an alarm should be raised. Whatever the false alarm trigger—steam, cooking, smoking—Discovery will cope. How can we be so sure? Because Discovery is officially tested and approved in all five operating modes. Look it up on the internet. Choose the mode to suit your fire risk and be sure that you are covered.
Apollo America, 821 Ulrich Avenue, Louisville, Kentucky 40213, USA.
Tel: +1 502 964 6565 Fax: +1 502 964 6229
Email: infoUSA@apollo-fire.com Web: www.apollo-fire.com
FIRE DETECTION: THE STATE OF PLAY
DETECTION SYSTEMS
XPander is Apollo’s wireless range that communicates with the XP95 loop by radio signals
Special circumstances There are also fire detectors developed to combat application-specific risks. The optical beam detector is one example. It comprises an infrared transmitter and receiver so that a light beam can be sent and received across large voids such as warehouses, atria and theatres. If smoke obscures the beam, less light will be measured by the receiver and the alarm will be triggered. Another application-specific example is the flame detector, designed to detect either the ultraviolet (UV) or infrared (IR) radiation emitted by a fire. Flame detectors are effective in protecting areas where open flames present a significant risk and can even detect gas fires, which are not visible to the naked eye. Apollo has recently introduced a point Flame Detector to its XP95 range. It monitors for both UV and IR radiation and is marine approved. The device fits a standard XP95 base and is suited for use in vessel engine rooms, or situations where the use of a smoke detector is inappropriate. Where explosion is a constant risk, in chemical processing or paint and solvent storage areas, for example, the use of intrinsically safe fire detectors is mandatory. Detectors for use in these areas need to be designed so they cannot ignite the explosive atmosphere either in normal or fault conditions. The nature of the hazard and the electrical apparatus requirements are governed by the ATEX directive. What next? Some ‘standard’ fire detection products are being refined to make them even more reliable, or adapted to meet specific requirements. 20
The introduction of wireless fire detection technology that uses radio transmission rather than hard wiring to communicate with the control panel is one example. XPander, Apollo’s new wireless fire detection system (pictured above), includes smoke and heat detectors, call points and alarm devices. It can be used to expand an existing Apollo intelligent fire detection system to cover remote buildings without the cost and disruption of installing a hard wired extension to the fire system, or to protect heritage sites where minimal disruption to period features is a high priority. Ancillary products are also being refined to make the installation of fire systems easier and quicker. A recent example is the Apollo Mini Switch Monitor (pictured page 18). Developed in response to customer feedback, the new device measures just 39mm x 39mm x 20mm and offers isolate, interrupt and non-interrupt functions in a single unit. The new Mini Switch Monitor replaces all existing models and can be DIN-Rail mounted or fitted into the backbox of a manual call point.
Final Summary Fire detection products continue to be developed as new detection techniques and applications emerge. However, as sophisticated and reliable this new technology is, detectors still need to be correctly specified, positioned and checked regularly to ensure they keep pace with the fire detection requirements of building occupants. Appropriate application of the best technology, coupled with regular maintenance, is essential in ensuring that people and property are protected IFP from the risks of fire. INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
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SCHOOL & CAMPUS FIRE PROTECTION
University of Michigan MOJO Dormitory
Life Safety Issues Associated with Colleges and Universities By Jeremy Mason & Peter Harrod, P.E. RJA Group
Designing buildings in the college and university setting can be challenging for a multitude of reasons. Many institutions have rich traditions and standings in their respective communities.
W
ith this nostalgia, often comes older buildings that are challenging to renovate while maintaining their historic fabric. Couple this with the fact that the way universities operate is ever changing these existing buildings often become increasingly more difficult to use as they age. Changes occur due to a myriad of factors such as new administrations, demands from significant donors, and probably most importantly demands of students. This article outlines how a masterplaning approach with a greater attention paid to code compliance implications can result in a more functional and cost effective project.
Determining the Applicable Codes When a project begins, an important first step that must be taken is to determine the applicable INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
codes. Too often however, enough due diligence is not performed to completely understand all of the applicable standards and how the authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ) interpret these codes. For example, many states retroactively adopt the existing building requirements of NFPA 101, The Life Safety Code (LSC), as a portion of their fire code. Although, these sections of the LSC may not be enforced until a building undergoes a renovation, alteration, or addition, the AHJ may have the authority to retroactively mandate compliance regardless of proposed work. Most states also adopt the International Building Code (IBC) as the basis for their building code which may reference the International Existing Building Code (IEBC) to address existing buildings undergoing renovations, alterations, and additions. It is important to understand if the particular 23
SCHOOL & CAMPUS FIRE PROTECTION
MIT Brain and Coginitive Sciences Center
jurisdiction in question also still adopts Chapter 34, Existing Buildings, of the IBC and/or the IEBC. Jurisdictions may adopt both Chapter 34 and the IEBC and give the owner a choice of which code to use. It is in the best interest of the college or university to analyze both codes to understand how each one effects their building in question and which code is more suitable.
Masterplanning and Challenges Most universities have a masterplan that clearly defines how existing and new buildings will be used over the coming years and even decades. Though, it is generally understood that when a building undergoes substantial renovation, alterations, and even an addition that the building, fire, and accessibility codes take this opportunity to improve the overall safety of said building. Often times, however, when the masterplan is being created, not enough attention is given to the fire protection, life safety, and accessibility implications associated with partial renovation and reuse. Not accounting for the addition or upgrades of these features can add considerable cost to the overall masterplan Another issue that is sometimes overlooked during the masterplaning phase involves proximity of buildings to one another. For example, a recent architectural trend includes physically connecting existing building(s) with new building(s) to bridge the new innovative campus with the rich historic tradition of the institute. Alternatively, site constraints sometimes dictate new construction be located within close proximity of existing nonconforming buildings When buildings are located close to one another, a litany of issues often arises. For example, when buildings are considered separate and distinct, an assumed lot line must be drawn between the two buildings such that the 24
buildings do not expose each other to fire. The lot line must be strategically located so as not to render the openings and wall of the existing building non-compliant. What often becomes an issue is that the assumed lot line is located closer to the new building than the college would desire, which limits the amount of windows permitted in the new building. Another building proximity issue occurs when buildings connect to one another. This becomes less of an issue if the existing construction classification affords the new building to simply be a part of the new building. However, buildings that are significantly old were often constructed far differently than today’s buildings and often constructed
Most universities have a masterplan that clearly defines how existing and new buildings will be used over the coming years and even decades to primitive or no codes at all. For example, what looks to be a solid masonry building from the exterior may have concealed wood framing. The masterplan may call for a new five story Assembly building that is seamlessly connected to the existing building. In this case, the existing construction type may simply not allow the new building to be considered an addition and thus be seamlessly connected. Several impractical code compliant solutions include creating separate buildings with rated walls and limited openings or tearing out the wood floors in the existing building to upgrade INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
LIFE SAFETY ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
SCHOOL & CAMPUS FIRE PROTECTION
the construction type. It is often possible to justify code compliant alternatives that solve this particular issue without taking the drastic measures specified above. One solution that has been implemented involves the creation of an atrium between the two buildings that also acts as a pedestrian bridge. Fire resistant rated separations are permitted to be glass with closely located sprinklers that allows the two buildings to feel like a single building that ultimately was what the university was looking for. Campus planners should consider retaining a fire protection engineer (FPE) in the initial masterplan so major hurdles become evident and alternatives can be considered. The FPE would be responsible for performing an initial review of the existing buildings and reviewing the masterplan to flush out major issues, especially those that have significant economic consequences. This can enable the stakeholders to be able to convey an accurate assessment of the situation to the campus planner who ultimately accept the masterplan. This can enable those responsible for the masterplan to look smart and informed!
not need to spend 20% of the project cost to make the rest of the areas accessible. On the other hand, where a building is not accessible at all, ADAAG would only require 20% of the money be spent on accessibility upgrades. Assuming a building is initially not accessible, money should be spent to provide an accessible entrance, accessible routes within the building including a vertical accessible route to the primary function areas of the building, and at least one accessible bathroom. If the applicable accessibility code(s) still require that additional monies be spent, many other accessible items can be upgraded including signage, handrails, etc. Monies should also be spent to improve the primary use of the building. For example, if a building is a
Accessibility Another area of a masterplan that is often overlooked is accessibility. Accessibility is a prominent and challenging issue facing universities today as it is more than ever in the public eye. College and universities are often constructed in topographically challenging areas that include hills or within city constraints that make the traverse. Where the land does not feasibly allow traveling on an accessible ramp or level surface, unique solutions have to be developed. This may include using a building’s new elevator as an accessible route in travelling through campus. Other accessibility issues arise during the adaptive reuse of buildings. Generally, the accessibility codes require that a portion of the money that is spent on a project be allocated to accessibility upgrades, in the hope of improving the general accessibility of the building. For example, the American Disability Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) requires that up to 20% of the project costs be spent to make a building accessible. If the building is largely accessible, then the owner may
hurdles become evident and
Campus planners should consider retaining a fire protection engineer (FPE) in the initial masterplan so major
alternatives can be considered classroom facility, classrooms should be upgraded to be accessible which may include dispersed accessible wheelchair and companion seats and an accessible route to lecture or performance areas. It should be noted that spending more than 20% of the project cost may be viewed as excessively onerous to the owner which could prohibit the project from moving forward. Thus ADAAG only requires that up to 20% of the project be spent on accessibility upgrades.
Fire Protection and Fire Alarm Many colleges and universities have undertaken initiatives to improve the fire protection and life safety of their buildings. This generally starts with installing or improving the fire alarm and the sprinkler systems. Often times there are challenges associated with installing these systems into buildings.
Norwich University Campus Center INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
25
SCHOOL & CAMPUS FIRE PROTECTION
LIFE SAFETY ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
Case Western Residential Village
Although colleges and universities would certainly like to improve the life safety of their buildings, there is a substantial cost and often a disruption associated with providing these systems. Not only are staff and/or residents often disrupted by the installation of new fire protection systems, but configuring these systems in an architecturally seamless yet cost-effective manner can be challenging. Considering these hurdles, it is often possible to negotiate with building and fire officials on behalf of the university to come up with unique and creative solutions. An example that outlines challenges associated with installing sprinkler and fire alarm systems is when a portion of an existing building is planned to be renovated over the summer break. The portions of the building that are planned to be
Although colleges and universities would certainly like to improve the life safety of their buildings, there is a Jeremy Mason is a Consultant for Rolf Jensen & Associates, Inc., a leading fire protection and life safety consulting firm. He is based in the Boston office and can be reached by phone (+1 508 620-8900) or e-mail (jmason@rjagroup.com) Peter Harrod, P.E. is a Regional Business Development Manager for Rolf Jensen & Associates, Inc., a leading fire protection and life safety consulting firm. He is based in the Boston office and can be reached by phone (+1 508 620-8900) or e-mail pharrod@rjagroup.com) 26
substantial cost and often a disruption associated with providing these systems renovated are not separated with fire rated construction from the spaces that are not going to be renovated. Based on the percentage of spaces that are being renovated, the building code would require that either the entire building be sprinklered and provided with a new fire alarm system or that all of the renovated areas be sprinklered and provided with a fire alarm system and be separated from the non-renovated spaces. The requirement to provide systems throughout the building or install rated separations is often excessively onerous to the university. In lieu of providing systems through out the building, it may be possible to develop solutions that are acceptable to both the AHJ and the university. Examples of these solutions include phasing the installation of
new systems with a firm commitment by the university, adding standpipes that allow increased fire fighting capabilities, improving means of egress to allow occupants to egress the building quicker, and limiting the combustibles in the building. Generally these innovative solutions require discussions and ultimately the blessing of the AHJ and are often much more amenable to the university or college
Egress Existing buildings often contain challenges including exits that are undersized, not remote from one another, and not enclosed in sufficiently rated construction. Adding or reconstructing exits can be a painful and expensive exercise that can also dramatically alter the architecture around the exits. It is often necessary to engineer unique approaches that solve these problems. Such approaches may include performing a timed egress analysis that shows occupants can safely exit the building in what is considered a safe amount of time. Other approaches may entail adding increased levels of safety to the building that more quickly notify occupants (i.e. smoke detection even though it may not be required in a fully sprinklered building) or ensuring a safer path of travel to exit stairs by creating rated corridors. Summary and Conclusion As evident throughout this article, there are many daunting fire protection, life safety, and accessibility challenges that colleges and universities face when deciding it is time to renovate their buildings. With some strategic feedback from the project team during the initial planning process, the college or university can avoid many pitfalls and give a clear picture of what is actually going to be required in the near future. Once the design process begins, then creative and alternative approaches may be implemented to allow the building to be reused to the satisfaction of both the owner and the local authority having jurisdiction. The fire protection engineer should certainly be in integral part of this process to ensure a safe and cost-effective IFP building is designed. INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
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multi-lingual library
With bold styling, integrated synchronised LED strobe and 7 selectable messages from a of over 300, the Fire-Cryer® Plus enables a standard fire alarm system to signal much more than just fire. ®
Using just 2 wires the Fire-Cryer family is the ideal partner for new and retrofit
FIRE
CRYER
®
Fire Bomb Alert Coded Messages Terrorist Attack Public Warning System Test Phased Evacuation
www.vimpex.co.uk INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
DDA-compliant fire systems.
VIMPEX Shaping Alarm Technology
Tel: +44 (0) 1702 216 999 Fax: +44 (0) 1702 216 699 E-mail: sales@vimpex.co.uk 27
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Another Bright Idea ..... Yodalex NEW
10J 20J
5J
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Clifford & Snell
Clifford & Snell has extended its range of Explosion Proof Audible & Visual Signalling devices with the introduction of a new series of 10 & 20 Joule Beacons. Features include: • High intensity light output 10 & 20 Joules • Award winning design • ATEX Approved • Dual cable entry • 7 lens colour options • Lens guard supplied as standard
The Yodalex range also includes an omni-directional high output sounder and a 5 TO BE LAUNCHED joule combination sounder/strobe unit, with 32 AT NFPA selectable sound tones and IP66 NEMA 4X LAS VEGAS protection.
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For more information please contact the Clifford & Snell sales office: 9750 Whithorn Drive, Houston, Texas 77095, USA Tel: +1 281 859 5300 Fax: +1 281 859 5317 Email: phausman@cliffordandsnell.net Web: www.cliffordandsnell.net
Signalling Solutions from Klaxon
KLAXON SIGNALS manufacture a wide range of FIRE and INDUSTRIAL signalling equipment for the european and worldwide market place. Our extensive product range includes, electronic sounders, Voice sounders, sirens, beacons and bells for commercial, industrial, OEM and hazardous area applications. We are fully RoSH complaint and meet all major industry standards including EN54, CPD, LPCB and Vds.
Klaxon Signals Limited Wrigley Street, Oldham, Lancashire, OL4 1HW
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T. +44 (0) 161 287 5555 F. +44 (0) 161 287 5511 www.klaxonsignals.com
INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
VISUAL & VOICE ALARM ROUND UP
Clifford & Snell’s Strategic Expansion into the USA formance for applications which range from general signalling including Hazardous Areas to process control, industrial and marine. Trevor Gage, Director and General Manager, Clifford & Snell, believes that the success that the company has achieved in key markets such as the Far East, Middle East and Scandinavia can also be attained in the USA. (L to R) Trevor Gage, Director & General Manager, “I am delighted to Clifford & Snell with Phil Hausman, Business announce the appointment Development Manager, The Americas of Phil Hausman as Business Development Manager for UK-based, leading manufacturer of the Americas. Hausman has established a Audible and Visual Alarm products, Clifford and Snell sales office and wareCLIFFORD & SNELL has announced its house in Houston which will act as a US intention to strategically expand its base and provide the conduit for growth in business in the US. sales and service with existing customers The company’s products are renowned whilst offering new customers the for their innovative design and high peropportunity of accessing our extensive
product range with US-based support,” said Gage. Phil Hausman comes to Clifford & Snell with an extensive knowledge of the oil/gas and petrochemical markets and has particular experience in the areas of offshore and industrial applications. According to Gage, Hausman brings considerable technical expertise and a wealth of knowledge within US markets which will assist Clifford & Snell to provide an exceptional level of service and commitment to customers throughout the Americas.
Cooper Fulleon introduces Voice+ technology to the Symphoni
VTG 24 Volt 32-Tone Spatial Sounder
COOPER FULLEON’s flexible and adaptable Voice+ technology is being released in the low current Symphoni sounder and the Symphoni AV sounder beacon for DDA applications. The technology endows the sounders with much greater message on-board storage while doing away with the EPROMS previously used. With up to eight user selectable tones and 16 messages the sounders can be configured so that users and stockists can have a single unit pre-programmed with their most frequently used tones and messages. A further benefit is that the sounders can be reprogrammed for specific applications using a suitably equipped PC and security interface. The interface ensures only authorised personnel can connect to the sounder for reconfiguration. Programming sounders will be familiar to anyone who uses a portable music player, with the ability to select individual INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
For further details, contact: Stand No. 1161, NFPA WORLD SAFETY CONFERENCE & EXPOSITION, LAS VEGAS or Phil Hausman 9750 Whithorn Drive, Houston Texas 77095, USA Tel: +1 281 859 5300 Fax: +1 281 859 5317 Email: phausman@cliffordandsnell.net Website: www.cliffordandsnell.net
Approved to EN54-Part 3 by the LPCB and VdS on tones 1, 8, 11, 25 and 27, Cranford Controls’ UK manufactured VTG 24 Volt 32-Tone Spatial Sounder is in high demand. The product’s aesthetically pleasing appearance is also highly popular with its unique nose-cone design enabling a strong and full sound output. The VTG is available with a red or white body and a deep or shallow base; the various tones include the well recognised Cranford sweep and various universal tones, including Dutch sweep tone, German DIN tone and French tone AFNOR, making it ideal for world-wide distribution.
messages or create playlists for down loading to the sounders. Further details: Danielle Sharp, Cooper Fulleon Ltd, Llantarnam Park Cwmbran, Gwent NP44 3AW Tel: +44(0)1633 628500 Fax: +44(0)1633 866346 Email: sales@fulleon.co.uk Website: www.fulleon.com 29
The VTG is CE marked and, as with all Cranford products, it is also RoHS and Weee compliant. The products low current consumption is also desirable. The DIL switch, located on the VTG’s PCB board, allows the user to select between three varying volume settings, low, medium or high, with the high setting being recommendable for facilities where additional sound output may be required. The VTG also utilises a universal locking system via an industry standard locking system, thus providing an aid in protection against vandalism, and making the VTG also fully compliant with the latest requirements of British and European standards. Further more there are other varying products within the VTG range that compliment one another, including the VXB Beacon and the VTB Sounder/ Beacon all of which are manufactured and distributed to the same high degree Cranford Controls works to.
Out of this world Cranford Controls prides itself on its unique and constantly expanding product range. Adding to this is their brand new innovative product – the VSO Sounder/ Beacon. This aesthetically pleasing product is a much desired and welcome addition to the fire safety market. The lens has been specially designed to ensure light is diffused out in all directions, guaranteeing a full light output of 360°, the only one of its kind on the market. The VSO Sounder/ Beacon is available in 32 tone including all the major worldwide tone variants and provides both visual and audible alert. The VSO range has been carefully engineered to fit all leading brands of detectors and can also be used as a wall mounted sounder/ sounder beacon by using it in conjunction with Cranford’s readily available cover plates. For more information on our products please contact us.
FIRE & SECURITY
Why not call us on...
T: +44 (0)1420 592 444 F: +44 (0)1420 592 445 or find us at www.cranfordcontrols.com 30
For further details, contact: Cranford Controls Ltd Unit 2 Waterbrook Estate, Waterbrook Road Alton, Hampshire GU34 2UD, UK Tel: +44 (0)1420 592444 Fax: +44 (0)1420 592445 Website: www.cranfordcontrols.com
Spectra beacons cover all the bases E2S, Europe’s leading manufacturer of warning sounders and beacons, has developed the Spectra beacon family to extend its industrial range of audible and visual signalling devices. Available in three sizes, six lens colours and a choice of static, flashing filament, Xenon strobe, rotating or LED versions, Spectra offers a solution for all situations including safety warning, status indication and fire alarm. The LED option gives longer operational life and lower life costs than a traditional filament lamp, particularly important for continuous use or where access or maintenance is difficult. The low voltage DC LED version has a choice of nine user-selectable modes giving continuous, flashing, rotating, double strike and alternate side flash modes; up to three stages of alarm can be selected through the appropriate wiring connections. The B300 has a dual frequency option where a flash rate of 1Hz or 2Hz can be selected remotely through the wiring configuration to provide two stages of warning. The Xenon strobe B300 and B400 models are optionally available in synchronised versions, so that all devices on the same power supply circuit flash in unison, a particular benefit in fire alarm applications. Primarily intended for surface mounting, pole and wall mounting options are available to make installation neat and easy. All units have a choice of cable entries for ease of wiring. Manufactured from UV stabilised polycarbonate, Spectra beacons will not fade when exposed to direct sunlight and are protected to IP65, making them suitable for outdoor applications. For further information contact: E2S Peter Fay, Managing Director, European Safety Systems Limited Impress House, Mansell Road, London W3 7QH Tel: + 44 (0)20 8743 8880 Fax: + 44 (0)20 8740 4200 Email: sales@e2s.com Website: www.e2s.com INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
Fire Alarm Encourages Quick Response The Nexus Voice Sounder from KLAXON SIGNALS is a fire alarm that combines normal sounder signals with a clear, synchronised voice message to provide authoritative instruction that eliminates confusion after an alarm sounds. Units are available with 4 pre-programmed messages, selected from a message library that covers an extensive range of applications, and bespoke messages are also available on request. The unique horn design feature ensures superior message quality over other voice sounders available in the market. Combined with an interface control unit, the Nexus voice sounders can transmit up to four messages over two wires – making them suitable for fire alarm systems. A USB interface allows special messages in WAV format to be downloaded onto the sounder from any PC, providing users with the flexibility of adding and removing messages in-house. They have a high 110 dB output, are weatherproofed to IP66 and can be installed in almost any location. A choice of sound outputs means there is a model to overcome most levels of background noise. Either xenon or high efficiency LED beacons can be added to the Nexus sounder. The combination of a clear voice message, powerful sounder and high output beacon ensures a highly effective warning tool. Klaxon Signals Limited is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of sound and vision signalling equipment for fire and life safety, industrial and security applications. Part of Halma p.l.c., Klaxon offers an extensive range of fire alarm sirens, electronic sounders, buzzers, beacons and bells, in addition to innovative evacuation technology and software. Reader Enquiries: Sara Mudalige Klaxon Signals Limited Wrigley Street, Oldham Lancs OL4 1HW, UK Tel: +44 (0)161 287 5555 Fax: +44 (0)161 287 5511 Email: sales@klaxonsignals.com
Fire-Cryer® Voice Sounders FIRE-CRYER® voice message sounders provide simple, cost-effective fully synchronised voice annunciation for all forms of evacuation and information broadcast. They require no special wiring and can be retrofitted to existing installations. The units can be fully synchronised and have a low current consumption allowing simple replacement of existing sounders and bells. Fire-Cryer® products comprise the broadest range of voice sounders currently available, from the Mini Fire-Cryer® designed for discreet mounting under fire detector heads to the powerful Midi & Maxi Fire-Cryers® for open spaces, warehouses and industrial sites. All Fire-Cryers® can broadcast 4 user-selectable messages chosen from a library of hundreds. Foreign language and bespoke messages are also available. Fire-Cryer® voice sounders can be both heard and understood. The five Fire-Cryer® voice sounder models in the range meet every requirement from residential and light commercial to heavy industrial applications. For further information contact: Vimpex Ltd. Tel: +44 (0) 1702 216 999 Fax: +44 (0) 1702 216 699 Email: sales@vimpex.co.uk Website: www.vimpex.co.uk INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
Leading naturally Signalling Fulleon has over 30 years experience in the design and manufacture of alarm signalling devices ᔢ Wide range of markets catered for, including: ᔣ Fire ᔣ Industrial ᔣ Security ᔣ Hazardous Areas ᔢ Products for indoor and outdoor use ᔢ Wide range of applications ᔢ High efficiency, low current design ᔢ Compliant with a wide range of standards
www.cooperindustries.com
T:+44 (0)1633 628 500 F:+44 (0)1633 866 346 sales@fulleon.co.uk www.fulleon.com
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Good choice. For others, see the yellow pages. Keeping leadership in technology is very simple: Before we optimise a solution, we listen to our clients and their needs. We focus on pioneering solutions for the protection of life. That’s why Dräger products always set higher standards. Like the Dräger X-am 2000. The new personal gas warning instrument can measure up to four gases and marks the highest level of reliability and handling. It’s not only water-resistant, but water-proof according to the ingress protection rate IP 67. Easy one-hand operation and small size makes it comfortable to use. Function testing with the Dräger Bump Test Station is quick and uses a minimum amount of gas. The highest quality doesn’t mean the highest price. Just ask one of our worldwide representatives. That’s what we call a good choice. Draeger Safety UK Limited • Tel: 01670 352 891 • Fax: 01670 356 266 • E-mail: marketing.uk@draeger.com
PIONEERING SOLUTIONS >> Detection Personal Protection Diving Technology System Technology Services www.draeger.com
GAS DETECTION
Using Wireless Toxic Gas Monitors for Confined Space Entry During Plant Turnarounds By Bob Durstenfield
When power plants, oil refineries, food processing, pharmaceutical, chemical, paint or plastic plants need to have major service, be upgraded or retrofitted this is called a plant turnaround. These times of zero production are both high stress and high cost both in terms of labor and lost production revenue.
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he positive side can be substantial: an increase in equipment reliability, and a lower risk that broken equipment will cause an unscheduled outage or catastrophic accident. Many times repairs need to be made in the “confined spaces” of pressure vessels, separators, feeders, storage tanks and valve systems. These limited access, limited ventilation confined spaces present a challenge to both worker safety and retrofit time. A “confined space” as defined by OSHA, has limited or restricted means of entry, exit or ventilation, is large enough for a person to enter and perform work, and is not designed for continuous occupancy. Confined space entry is inherently dangerous, and in the high intensity environment of a plant turnaround, it becomes especially challenging to manage worker safety against the need for efficiency and the economic pressures of getting the plant back on line as quickly as possible. Employees who work in confined spaces can be seriously injured or killed by entrapment, engulfment, or the hazardous atmospheric conditions found in these spaces. The atmosphere in a confined space can become hazardous for a variety of reasons. Welding operations can produce toxic fumes, and decomposing organic material can release chemicals such as hydrogen sulfide or methane. Heavier than air gases like carbon dioxide can sink to the bottom of a confined space and reduce the level of oxygen to fatal levels. Oxygen can also be consumed by many chemical processes such as the formation of rust or bacterial action in the fermentation process. There may also be residual chemicals from the production processes that can include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), or hydrocarbons, which are both toxic and flammable and potentially an explosion hazard. All of this work falls under the guidelines of confined space entry found in United State Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulation 1910. This regulation was originally written for sewer
entry where the decomposition of biological material produced expected hazardous threats including oxygen depletion, accumulated methane gas, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide. Those threats have traditionally been handled by a four-gas confined space entry monitor. When working in the industrial environment the hazardous threats change based on the processes and chemicals in use. The OSHA regulation was revised with the addition of subpart 146 Appendix E which states: “…where the employer has not been able to identify the specific atmospheric hazards present or potentially present in the workspace, broad range sensors are preferable because they indicate that the hazardous threshold of a class (or classes) of contaminants (i.e. hydrocarbons) in the work environment have been exceeded.” In OSHA 1910 Subpart Z, more than 80% of the gases and vapors listed as “Toxic and Hazardous Substances” are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or hydrocarbons. And most are toxic long before they are combustible, they also go unobserved by the standard four-Gas monitor. The presence of VOCs immediately calls for the use of either a dedicated photoionization detector or a multi-gas monitor that includes a PID. In the last several years 5-gas monitors have been available in both handheld and wireless configurations. As a turnaround work-shift begins each of the confined spaces on the facility would need to be monitored prior to entry for the time specified by the resident industrial hygienist. OSHA requires that confined space entry permits be reissued every twelve hours or when a new shift starts. This has traditionally been a manual process, and it takes several hours to revisit the work sites, resample the environment, and then reissue the permit. Hours of downtime during each shift of a plant turnaround can cost companies thousands of dollars. After each work break the confined space in question would again have to
Employees who work in confined spaces can be seriously injured or killed by entrapment, engulfment, or the hazardous atmospheric conditions found in these spaces. INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
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USING WIRELESS TOXIC GAS MONITORS FOR CONFINED SPACE ENTRY
GAS DETECTION
Process 5
Process 4
Process 6 Process 5 Control Rm
Process 4 Control Rm
Process 6 Control Rm
Process 3 Process 3 Control Rm
Ethernet Gateway
location and alarm data for all units. This facility deployment currently includes: 1 a coker system with 5 currently deployed monitors 2 a crude unit 3 a desulferizer 4 an FCCU DGA with 10 currently deployed monitors 5 a hydrocracker 6 a sulfur plant with 7 currently deployed monitors
Alarms RAEShare
Bob Durstenfeld has spent more than five years at RAE Systems as Director of Public Relations and Investor Relations. Before joining RAE Systems, Durstenfeld served as Senior Account Manager and Staff Technologist for the Silicon Valley office of Fleishman-Hillard Public Relations. Bob has also held management positions at Agilent Technologies and Hewlett-Packard Company. He has published articles on Port Security and Wireless Gas Detection. Mr. Durstenfeld received his Masters in Engineering Management and International Marketing from Santa Clara University and his BS in Engineering and Biology from UCLA. 34
Alarm notification is handled in three layers: 1 Individual monitors provide local Process 1 Process 2 alarm notification at the work Master Control Room site Process 1 Process 2 2 The local control room is notiControl Rm Control Rm fied of an alarm over the wireless network and is displayed on be monitored before work could resume. In addition the remote base station so that a response can be to the work crew a “spotter” would be assigned to initiated if necessary. each hole or worksite. This person would be respon3 Each local control room uploads the real time data sible for making sure that the working atmosphere of over hardwire Ethernet cable onto the secure the work site did not pose a safety threat. Typically offsite data server. the spotter would be issued a hand held monitor that 4 Data is monitored real-time on secure web might include a drop line of extended tubing to terminal in the Master control room. actually sample the work area. If there was a problem 5 As a back up – Email alerts are issued whenever it was the spotter’s job to clear the worksite, begin any wireless monitor on site goes into alarm. ventilation and then eventually give the approval to return to work. This presented two problems, the Unit Alarm spotter had to know how to interpret the alarm and had to get help if workers were endangered. Often, Control Room Alarm the spotter became tired or distracted and could make mistakes in judgment when reading alarms on RAEShare Terminal Alert Alarm monitoring equipment. Initially, site safety officers began deploying wireEmail Notification less monitor as a back up to the fixed-gas systems that were turned off during the service cycle. They One of the other advantages of the wireless gas soon realized that they could also provide a back up monitoring system has been that all of the data for to the spotter, and even continuously watch the hole all of the worksites is immediately stored on a comwhen the spotter was not there. The advent of wireputer for both future reference and as part of the less gas detection has given facility operators and legal safety record for the site. This has given OSHA safety officers a new approach to this solve “hole inspectors instant access to the exposure data for watch” problem. each work site. Using wireless gas detection networks with senThe use of wireless toxic gas monitors has come of sors at each confined space worksite and a central age. Today’s monitors are quick to deploy or reconfigcommand center, safety officers could continuously ure and offer the ability to use global positioning monitor a work site, even when workers where not satellite technology to know exactly where and alarm present. Procedures were developed so that if a work is coming from. Wireless gas monitors have been site had not alarmed during the break, then is could found to provide both a better worker safety net and be assumed that it was safe to re-enter the work site significant cost savings to industrial facilities that immediately. This cut the wait time after each break must continually improve their production and and provided a cost effective way to safely increase IFP manage their costs. productivity. One of the early adopters of wireless gas diction References has been the Valero oil refinery in Delaware. This NIOSH: Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, NIOSH facility brings down each of six major areas for 60 Publications, Cincinnati, OH 1994 days at a time. Significant time is saved by not having DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 79-142, 2002 to recertify confined spaces for each work shift. This Worker Deaths in Confined Spaces-A Summary of is done by using the wireless gas monitors to conNIOSH Surveillance and Investigative Findings, January, tinuously monitor and only requiring recertification if 1994, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 94-103 there has been an alarm. OSHA 1910 Subpart Z – Toxic and Hazardous The Wireless Monitor Deployment Substances The facility has six independent wireless networks Guide to Occupational Exposure Values – 2002, that are linked to a local control rooms. Data from compiled by ACGIH each of the six control rooms is uploaded to an offNFPA 325, Guide to Fire Hazard Properties of Flammable site data server that integrates all of the site data. Liquids, Gases, and Volatile Solids, 1994 Edition The master control room monitors all six production RAE Systems: Correction Factors and Ionization areas through the web-based terminal viewer. The Potentials (Technical Note TN-106) viewer provides visibility to all 36 deployed wireless RAE Systems: AP-211: PIDs for Continuous Monitoring monitors as well as real-time maps showing the of VOCs INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
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ALARM SYSTEMS
Advanced Fire System Communications By Ray Hope Managing Director, Advanced Electronics
The application of communication technologies to fire systems is becoming increasingly important. Ray Hope, Managing Director of Advanced Electronics describes how the use of communications is bringing major benefits to both the installer and the end-user.
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here are two areas in which advanced communication technologies are having an impact on fire systems, remote communications over the Internet and fire panel networking.
Remote Communications over the Internet In the late 1970s a standardized communications protocol was developed that would change worldwide communications forever. This standardized Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol, commonly abbreviated to ‘TCP/IP’ or simply ‘IP’, enabled the inter-connection of computer networks on a global scale. Now, 30 years on, TCP/IP is a fully established communication protocol and is used for communication on the World Wide Web (Internet). However, TCP/IP is not exclusively for use with computers and provided certain rules are followed it is possible to connect virtually any device on to a TCP/IP network, including the control equipment and associated peripheral devices of a fire network. Nearly every commercial building has a computer network already installed. For a device to INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
communicate over this network, it simply needs to support the TCP/IP protocol and be connected to a spare network port. Therefore, suitably enabled fire detection equipment can communicate over this network without the need to install any additional communication cabling. Once the device is connected to the network it has to be identified so other devices can communicate with it. This is achieved with the IP address. The IP address is unique to each device on the network and allows messages to be sent to, and received from the device from anywhere on the network. In fact it is possible to communicate with the device from anywhere within a building or even multiple buildings, provided those buildings have a common TCP/IP network.
Can IP Networks Replace Dedicated Fire Panel Networks? Inter-connecting fire panels over an existing computer network lends itself to many, potentially hazardous, problems. First and foremost computer networks are generally wired using non fire-resistant cable. If there is a fire, the cable connecting the 37
ALARM SYSTEMS
fire panels could be damaged rendering the network useless. Secondly, the fire system would be sharing the network with other non-fire devices such as computers, printers and other IT equipment. The fire system has no control over these other devices and therefore cannot guarantee how they might interact or how network performance might be impaired during a critical fire situation. However, this doesn’t mean that there is not a place for TCP/IP in fire systems. Just because fire panels are not linked together on a TCP/IP network doesn’t make TCP/IP superfluous. TCP/IP solutions can be seen as secondary enhancements to the primary function of the dedicated fire panel network.
Using TCP/IP as a Gateway into the Fire Network Creating devices which can communicate and interact with an existing dedicated fire network opens up innovative possibilities, as is demonstrated by the new ipGateway™ product from Advanced Electronics. ipGateway™ is a fully interactive internet portal for the Mx-4000 range of fire alarm control panels, which allows remote monitoring of any Mx-4000 series fire system, both stand alone and networked, from anywhere on the internet using a standard web browser. A distinct advantage is gained from the use of a web browser to view the information as it eliminates the need for any proprietary software to be installed on each PC that uses ipGateway™. When accessing ipGateway™ the user is presented with comprehensive information about the fire system. This includes a breakdown of all the zones, a detailed description and current status of all devices contained within each zone and an overall indication of the current status of the system. The information displayed on the user’s web browser is updated in real time, ensuring that any change to the status of the system is clearly identified and reported to the user as it happens. In addition to the visual representation, ipGateway™ allows the user to interact with the fire system as though they were stood in front of a fire panel. From a remote location anywhere in the world a user, with the correct authority and access rights, can enable/disable zones, enable/disable devices, reset networks, reset, mute, silence or resound sounders on a panel or a network. When connecting the system to the Internet a higher level of security is needed to counter threats such as viruses and unscrupulous access. The built-in security features of ipGateway™ require anauthorized user to logon using a password and to connect to the remote system via a secure IP address. ipGateway™ can also be configured to use an existing email server to send a notification as a result of an event on the fire system. Each event can be setup to alert a number of different personnel at varying times of the day. This is useful for environments where a number of people are responsible for the fire system, but those people work various shifts throughout the day. These e-mail addresses are simple to set-up in the web browser without the need to configure local e-mail clients. It should be noted at this point that the ipGateway™ is not intended as a replacement for an existing fire system control and indication 38
INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
ADVANCED FIRE SYSTEM COMMUNICATIONS
interface, instead it should be seen as a secondary enhancement by providing a set of tools and functions to compliment the everyday operation and maintenance of a fire system. The remote interrogation of the fire system opens up possibilities for maintenance companies to identify problems before they actually happen, saving time and money by reducing unnecessary journeys to site. The fire system can also be configured to send maintenance and status information as a text message or e-mail. By enhancing the built in functionality of a fire system with a TCP/IP gateway, both their visibility and reach can be significantly enhanced and extended.
Hi-Speed Fault Tolerant Networks for Fire Systems It is already common practice to connect fire alarm control panels and peripherals, often located in physically different locations, over a proprietary network. However, the design and performance of the network can have a significant effect on the overall operation of the system. Advanced Electronics Ad-NeT+ fire network can be configured to allow the inter-connection of up to 200 panels (nodes) in a fault tolerant configuration. The maximum cable length between nodes is 1.5km, with a total loop length of 20km. The network is capable of withstanding a single fault between nodes without loss of communications to any single panel. This is all achieved using standard two-core fire resistant cable.
INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
ALARM SYSTEMS
Indication and response times from Control and Indicating Equipment (CIE) are set-out in the EN standards and EN 54-13:2005 (E) 4.3.2.1 states that “a fire alarm condition on a CIE shall be indicated on the main CIE within 20sec.” The typical delay on an Ad-NeT+ 50 panel network for each panel to indicate a fire from any zone is less than one second and 3.5 seconds for a full 200 panel system. The network operates as a true peer-to-peer system allowing information from any input or output device to be passed over the network and displayed on any control panel or remote terminal as required. Details include Fire, General Alarm, Pre-alarm, Fault, Control Inputs and Disablement as well as analogue values, test instructions and status information. The Ad-NeT+ systems DynamiX zoning facility allows the networked system to utilize up to 1000 zones providing non-confusing indication and allowing true peer-to-peer cross panel report, control and site-wide cause and effect functionality. No single panel is required to act as a ‘Master’ for the network to operate. IFP
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Recycle Your Halon. The future of the planet is in your hands.
It’s imperative to the health of our planet that we reduce the impact that halon has on our atmosphere. Halon Banking Systems is dedicated to the environmentally responsible recycling and redeployment of halon for essential end-users. Let us help you dispose safely of your halon, and together, we can make the world a better place.
Contact us today 001-416-458-1990.
8601 73rd Avenue Suite #11, Brooklyn Park, MN 55428 USA Tel: 001-416-458-1990 Fax: 001-763-315-0399 info@halonbankingsystems.us | www.halonbankingsystems.com
CLEAN AGENTS
Cradle to Grave Responsibility for Clean Agents By Ron Marcus Remtec International
INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
The regulatory requirements for the management of halocarbon emissions have continued to increase since first introduced in 1974 with the publication of the Molina-Rowland report. This report started a process that eventually culminated in the signing of the Montreal Protocol in 1987.
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en years later, the Kyoto Protocol was adopted on 11 December 1997 at the third Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP 3) in Kyoto, Japan and went into effect on 16 February 2005. The Protocol’s major feature is that it has mandatory targets on greenhouse-gas emissions for the world’s leading economies, which have accepted it. These targets range from –8 per cent to +10 per cent of the countries’ individual 1990 emissions levels “with a view to reducing their overall emissions of such gases by at least 5 per cent below existing 1990 levels in the commitment period 2008 to 2012.” In almost all cases – even those set at +10 percent of 1990 levels – the
limits call for significant reductions in currently projected emissions. The goal is to lower overall emissions of six greenhouse gases – carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulfur hexafluoride, hydrofluorocarbons, and perfluorocarbons – averaged over the period of 2008-2012. These commitments have not been without difficulty and continue to evolve. Most importantly, as regulations continue to evolve, manufacturers, distributors, installers and end users face increasing exposure and penalties when these materials are mishandled from cradle to grave. This responsibility may even extend beyond the 41
CLEAN AGENTS
normal chain of custody to lenders and investors. Schnapf Environmental Report, a newsletter covering environmental developments and case law reported in 2003, “With over 160 countries now committed to following the Kyoto Protocol and many countries adopting legal mechanisms to implement the goals of the treaty, it is increasingly important for purchasers and lenders of certain industrial sectors to evaluate potential climate change impacts on businesses during due diligence. Moreover, corporate directors and officers could possibly face liability under the “Business Judgment Rule” if they can be shown to have failed to exercise due care by disregarding information about the potential adverse financial consequences or reputational risk of climate change on their business. Indeed, some in the insurance industry believe they are already feeling the impacts of climate change as a result of weather-related losses. Administrators of institutional investment funds may also feel that they have a fiduciary duty to determine the impacts of climate change and seek changes in corporate strategies towards their GHG emissions.” As the responsibility for management of these materials continues to grow, the protocol for their handling for re-use or destruction becomes an increasingly important aspect of any project proposal. RemTec International specializes in accepting Halons as well as a broad range of ODS and GHGs from international sources for reclamation and destruction. Our protocol for shipping material for either option into the United States, calls for complete traceable and verifiable records not only for purposes of obtaining an export permit from the
In almost all cases – even those set at +10 percent of 1990 levels – the limits call for significant reductions in currently projected emissions. source country and a US Environmental Protection Agency, (EPA) for entry into the United States, but also as a means of validating each step of the process.
Reclamation is the first option for consideration Reclamation is an option for Halon 1301. In accordance with the Regulation (EC) No 2037/2000 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 June 2000 on substances that deplete the ozone layer, Halon 1301 can be employed in critical uses such as the following. ● in aircraft for the protection of crew compartments, engine nacelles, cargo bays and dry bays, ● in military land vehicles and naval vessels for the protection of spaces occupied by personnel and engine compartments, ● for the making inert of occupied spaces where flammable liquid and/or gas release could occur in the military and oil, gas and petrochemical sector, and in existing cargo ships, ● for the making inert of existing manned communication and command centres of the 42
● ●
armed forces or others, essential for national security, for the making inert of spaces where there may be a risk of dispersion of radioactive matter, in the Channel Tunnel and associated installations and rolling stock.
Permitting The export permit must be obtained in compliance with the source country’s Ministry of Environment regulations. The procedure starts with an inventory of the cylinders to be offered for destruction or reclamation. This inventory includes cylinder information, estimated weight and end-users’ contact information. An export permit from the source country must be approved prior to the application with the US EPA.
The export permit must be obtained in compliance with the source country’s Ministry of Environment regulations. The procedure starts with an inventory of the cylinders to be offered for destruction or reclamation. A permit from the US EPA can take up to 40 business days. The US EPA verifies the accuracy of the application including contacting the original source of the material. Once all information has been confirmed, a Non-objection notice is issued by the US EPA.
Packaging and Shipping Proper packaging of hazardous commodities and shipping documents (shipping labels, bill of lading, Material Safety Data Sheets, export permit, and the US EPA Non-objection permit) are required. In some countries, Halons and CFCs are considered hazardous wastes and must be labeled as such when shipping. In the United States, Halons and CFCs are not considered hazardous wastes, but hazardous materials. Cylinders manufactured outside the United States are not regulated by US Department of Transportation (DOT) and therefore cannot be legally transported over US roadways. The hazardous materials must be transferred into DOT-approved cylinders. Tracking and Documentation Proper documentation of the US receipt of the material should include leak detection, cylinder weight, gas purity verification and actual weight calculation of the ODS or GHGs recovered. Testing accuracy is important for verification purposes. RemTec is one of only four Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) certified laboratories in the US. ARI establishes specifications and maintains quality control standards for the industry. Certifications and Site Audits The US EPA certifies facilities for the reclamation of ODS. This provides assurance that all materials are INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
CRADLE TO GRAVE RESPONSIBILITY FOR CLEAN AGENTS
processed in compliance with all applicable regulations. US EPA Certification should be verified. Site audits are useful to verify and insure compliance. For those reasons, RemTec is EPA-Certified and encourages site audits. RemTec International is unique as a dualprocessing facility for reclamation and destruction of ODS and GHGs. RemTec provides a Certificate of Reclamation or Destruction to our customers for their records. This certifies that all materials have been processed in accordance with all applicable regulations. A significant concern to all in the chain of custody is the proper disposal at the end of useful life. The technologies for disposal are an increasingly important issue as responsibility and exposure expand. One of the technologies for disposal that is gaining support from governmental and private sectors is plasma arc destruction, which provides several significant benefits.
Destruction Tracking and Verification Because plasma arc destruction can accept a 100% feed of halocarbons into the destruction chamber, the waste can be tracked and measured through the destruction process. Plasma arc destruction provides instrumentation, principally the Coriolis Mass Flow meter and pressure and temperature sensors that enable accurate tracking of the material as it is destroyed. The recording systems provide verification during the destruction process and a permanent record to validate the destruction. Traditional incineration requires that these materials are trickle fed into a kiln with other waste streams making exact tracking more difficult.
CLEAN AGENTS
diagram demonstrates the impact of increased temperature in terms of time required for destruction. In this example, toluene, a solvent, requires over one second to be destroyed through incineration while plasma arc requires 5.5 nanoseconds. The environmental concern is the longer destruction time increases the potential for the ODS and GHGs to escape to the atmosphere. For purposes of perspective, a comparison must be demonstrated in terms of light speed. Light would travel 186,000 miles in the second required for destruction using incineration. Light would travel a mere 1.6 meters using plasma arc destruction. Plasma arc provides almost instantaneous destruction reducing any potential of ODS or GHGs escaping to the atmosphere.
Reduces the potentials of Dioxins and Furans from forming Dioxins are one of the most toxic man manufactured chemicals ever made; furans are one tenth as toxic. After the destruction process, the molecules may reform into dioxins or furans. Plasma arc significantly reduces the opportunity for reformation. The molecules are quickly combined with a caustic soda solution and transformed into salt water. Emissions to the atmosphere are minimized Additionally, air emissions affecting the atmosphere are de minimis since the primary effluent from the process is salt water. (See Diagram) As responsibility and exposure increase, the proper management of these materials from cradle to grave becomes an ever-increasing concern. The tracking and technologies used for this purpose are becoming increasingly important. Combining the highest standards for tracking and verification with state-of-the-art technologies for destruction and to reduce risk and exposure for all IFP parties in the chain of custody.
Destruction Efficiency Plasma arc destruction destroys the halocarbons at temperatures in excess of 6,000 degrees centigrade providing a Destruction and Removal Efficiency (DRE) of 99.9999%. The following INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
43
PROFESSIONALS IN PROTECTION
Saved by “The time creator” Lives can be saved with passive fire protection. When exposed to a fire, structural steel frames can lose their load bearing capacity, leading to structural failure. Passive fire protection ensures the safe access for fire fighters and allows for safe evacuation of people. Steelguard of PPG Protective & Marine Coatings is a product range of thin-film intumescent coatings, epoxy intumescent coatings and vermiculite cement sprays. With an experienced coatings supplier like PPG Protective & Marine Coatings custom-made solutions can be developed to ensure dependable and compliant fire protection. Steelguard is used for • Shopping centres • Warehouses • Stadiums • Airport terminals • Refineries • Chemical plants • Offshore constructions • Gas storage tanks • Tunnels
PPG Protective & Marine Coatings, Micro House, Station Approach, Wood Street North Alfreton DE55 7JR, United Kingdom Telephone +44 1773 837 300 • Fax +44 1773 837 302 • pmc-sales@ppg.com • www.ppgpmc.com
PASSIVE FIRE PROTECTION FORUM
Fire Protection at the Junction . . . The use of board, coating and spray systems to protect steel in the event of a fire is generally quite straight forward and well documented. But occasionally a technical matter crops up that is a little outside the norm. By The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP)
O
ne such ambiguity concerns the approach to be adopted at the joints between two systems, when a new type of fire protection material is being installed alongside an existing alternative type on load bearing structural steel elements. The question is; exactly how do you deal with the junction, to ensure uninterrupted protection? It is when such clarification is required that organisations such as the Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP), with its wealth of technical and practical knowledge, come into its own. The ASFP has always considered it best practice to completely protect individual structural steel, or structural elements, with the same fire protection system and that the mixing of fire protection systems should be avoided on single steel elements, since the fire testing of all possible interfaces is impractical. So, in general, the advice would be that the use of different built-in fire protection systems on individual steel or structural elements
of construction should be avoided. The Association recognises, however, that on some occasions the situation is unavoidable. It has, therefore, produced new guidance on how to deal with the various scenarios. In the first instance, the individual product manufacturers should always be contacted for relevant advice on their system being used alongside the other, but further considerations should: ● Note that off site sprayed beams are not treated at the connection point and care with interfaces will be needed. See general comments and [a] to [j] below ● The failure temperatures in fire are different for universal beams, cellular beams and universal columns. The abutting systems should be suitably selected ● The existing fire protection system, to be abutted or overlapped, must be fully cured and chemically compatible with any other system to be in contact with it
The ASFP has always considered it best practice to completely protect individual structural steel, or structural elements, with the same fire protection system and that the mixing of fire protection systems should be avoided on single steel elements, since the fire testing of all possible interfaces is impractical. INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
45
FIRE PROTECTION AT THE JUNCTION . . .
PASSIVE FIRE PROTECTION FORUM
Existing type of fire protection system on the steelwork
Product being considered for adding to steelwork where [x] refers to the notes below the table
Reactive coating*
Reactive coating [a]
Spray [d]
Board [g]
Spray**
Reactive coating [b]
Spray [e]
Board [h]
Board system**
Reactive coating [c]
Spray [f]
Board [i]
*Reactive coatings, such as intumescent paints, are defined as: products that are specifically formulated to provide a chemical reaction upon heating, such that their physical form changes and in so doing provide fire protection by thermal insulative and cooling effects **Fire resisting boards and sprays are defined as: products which do not change their physical form on heating, providing fire protection by virtues of their physical or thermal properties ●
Overlapping or abutting different systems needs careful consideration since they may behave in different ways in fire. For example, ‘shrink back’ of any system in fire, at junctions ● The specific procedure will be affected by whichever fire protection system is first applied on site and by the interval before a second system can be added. The types and sequence of installing PFP systems can be illustrated by the table above.
Adding a reactive coating Guidance for adding a reactive coating (a) next to an existing reactive coating system, (b) next to an existing sprayed system or (c) next to an existing board system is the same for each. Where a reactive coating fire protection system is to be added next to an existing fire protection system, the best guidance is to have a simple butt joint between the two different systems. If this is not possible, advice should be sought from the two fire protection system manufacturers and based on the test information available, or alternatively from independent consultants, as described in government guidance documents. Adding a spray coating When adding a spray coating adjacent to reactive coating [d], the spray should overlap the reactive coating by a minimum of 100mm where it meets a reactive coating. Different spray systems may have different chemical compositions, so when adding spray adjacent to an existing spray system [e], contact the manufacturers concerned to confirm the chemical compatibility between the two systems. Once compatibility is established, a tight butt joint between the two systems should be used. If compatibility is not established, do not use the intended spray system. When adding spray adjacent to existing board system [f], always contact the spray system manufacturer for the detailed procedure to be followed. Adding a board system When adding a board system adjacent to reactive coating [g], ensure the board system overlaps the reactive coating by 100mm where it meets the reactive coating, before being capped off. Note the need for chemical compatibility of any materials/ adhesives used with the reactive coating system. Where a board system meets a spray system [h], the existing spray should be cut back to provide a flat edge. The board system should be capped off 46
at the junction and a suitable overlap may need to be incorporated, if advised by the manufacturer of the board system being added. If adding a board system next to an existing board system [i], they may be of different thickness and the joints may be complex. It is therefore recommended that the web of both board protection systems should be capped off, using the relevant protection material, to prevent the passage of fire into the web. Note that alternative methods may be available from manufacturers for specific products. Manufacturers may, for example, advise that cover strips with a minimum specified overlap should be used. For any situation or scheduling not covered by the guidance above, consult the manufacturer of the fire protection system to be added/abutted to the existing protection system.
Junctions between protected and unprotected steel The potential for heat transfer from unprotected structural steel into protected structural steel must also be considered. It is normally believed good practice to protect the adjoining 500mm of ‘unprotected’ structural steel to limit unwanted heat transfer.
The potential for heat transfer from unprotected structural steel into protected structural steel must also be considered. In the case of boxed systems, the end of the system should be capped off to prevent passage of fire into the web of a beam or column. This means filling the end of the boxed system with at least the same board thickness as used for the primary protection of the steel element, using tested fixing systems. In the case of profiled spray systems, the unprotected steel should be masked prior to application of the spray such that a clean edge is achieved for the full depth of the sprayed system. Profiled board systems will be expected to have a square edge. Further information is available from the ASFP website at www.asfp.org.uk or from the ASFP, Tournai Hall, Evelyn Woods Road, Aldershot GU11 2LL. Tel: 01252 357832. Fax: 01252 357831. IFP Email: info@asfp.org.uk INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
CONTROL LOGIC Spark detector
Sparks fly at high speed. They travel at a hundred kilometres per hour along the ducts of the dust collection system and reach the silo in less than three seconds
designed for dust collection systems to protect storage silos from the risk of fire.
The CONTROL LOGIC SPARK DETECTOR is faster than the sparks themselves. It detects them with its highly sensitive infrared sensor, intercepts and extinguishes them in a flash. It needs no periodic inspection. The CONTROL LOGIC system is designed for “total supervision”. It verifies that sparks have been extinguished, gives prompt warning of any malfunction and, if needed, cuts off the duct and stops the fan.
20137 Milano - Via Ennio, 25 - Italy Tel.: + 39 02 5410 0818 - Fax + 39 02 5410 0764 E-mail: controllogic@controllogic.it - Web: www.controllogic.it
CONTROL LOGIC s.r.l.
BETTER TO KNOW IT BEFORE Eye is faster than nose. In the event of live fire the IR FLAME DETECTOR responds immediately
CONTROL LOGIC IR FLAME DETECTOR IR FLAME DETECTOR RIV-601/FA EXPLOSIONPROOF ENCLOSURE
the fastest and most effective fire alarm device for industrial applications
For industrial applications indoors or outdoors where is a risk of explosion and where the explosionproof protection is required. One detector can monitor a vast area and responds immediately to the fire, yet of small size.
Also for RS485 two-wire serial line
20137 Milano - Via Ennio, 25 - Italy Tel.: + 39 02 5410 0818 - Fax + 39 02 5410 0764 E-mail: controllogic@controllogic.it - Web: www.controllogic.it
IR FLAME DETECTOR RIV-601/F WATERTIGHT IP 65 ENCLOSURE
For industrial applications indoors or outdoors where fire can spread out rapidly due to the presence of highly inflammable materials, and where vast premises need an optical detector with a great sensitivity and large field of view.
CONTROL LOGIC s.r.l.
FIRERAY 5000 Motorised Auto-aligning
The Ultimate motorised auto-aligning beam detector
• Modular Design • Easifit First Fix System • Ground Level Control • Laser Assisted Alignment • AutOptimise Beam Alignment
• Ease of Installation • Ease of Set-Up • Ease in Operation • Easy!
9 Hunting Gate, Hitchin Hertfordshire SG4 0TJ, U.K. T +44 (0) 845 402 4242 F +44 (0) 845 402 4201 E sales@ffeuk.com W www.ffeuk.com
• UniBeam Technology • Contamination Compensation • Building Shift Compensation • Cost Effective
Approved by R
FIRERAY - The leading light in smoke detectors
Rapid fire detection – thanks to clever cables. The SecuriSens® TSC temperature sensor cables
Securiton AG, Alarm and Security Systems www.securiton.eu, info@securiton.eu A company of the Swiss Securitas Group
48
INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
SMOKE, HEAT AND FLAME
Smoke, Heat and Flame – Making Sense of Detection By Graham Lowe UK Sales Manager, Hochiki Europe
INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all fire detection solution. Here, Graham Lowe, UK Sales Manager at Hochiki Europe, which designs and manufactures a broad selection of fire detection and alarm products, explains why.
N
o two buildings are the same in terms of hazard or fire protection. Even buildings that are architecturally similar will have their unique safety challenges. Room sizes may not be identical, evacuation routes may differ, the goods stored in each building may vary in volume or fuel load, and the fire threat posed by nearby structures or processes may have a significant impact. This, of course, is why such legislation as the UK’s Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order makes it mandatory for every building owner or occupier to undertake a fire risk assessment, and ensure that this assessment is kept up to date. So, while it is essential to get expert professional advice when selecting fire detection devices, ensuring that the installation remains appropriate to changes in the building structure or use is equally vital. To put that another way, to be effective, the detection devices – indeed the fire protection installation as a whole – has to match the risk that exists when a fire breaks out; this may be different to the risk that was identified when
the system was originally designed. So, the golden rule is to keep reassessing fire protection, in the form of re-visited fire risk assessments, high on the corporate agenda.
Detector options In terms of fire detection, there have been a number of innovations in recent years that have added to the sophistication and reliability of the individual devices. However, the downside of these developments is that those responsible for fire safety can be easily confused by the options that are now available, unless they are intimately familiar with the new technology. Essentially sensors and detectors can be fitted that detect smoke, heat and flames, and the characteristics of each depend on the type of fire detection and alarm system that is being installed. These are known as “non-addressable” and “analogue addressable” systems. In a nonaddressable installation, detectors are in one of two states – normal or alarm. Individual detectors 49
SMOKE, HEAT AND FLAME
SMOKE, HEAT AND FLAME – MAKING SENSE OF DETECTION
an investigation by the local fire safety enforcing authority. Neither are appealing outcomes, particularly as modern detectors and sensors can be changed so easily, and as expert advice of device selection is so readily available.
Full details on Hochiki products are available by telephone on +44 (0)1634 260136, and via email at news@hochikieurope.com The company’s website can be found at www.hochikieurope.com 50
are not identified or given a specific “address”, so non-addressable systems tend to be used in smaller buildings. In an analogue addressable system, each sensor has its own unique “address” number on the control panel, and these systems are invariably the preferred solution for highhazard, large or complex buildings, or those with complicated or phased evacuation procedures. The term “sensor” is normally used for analogue addressable devices, while “detector” usually applies to non-addressable devices. Optical devices detect smoke using light scatter or obscuration techniques; when visible smoke enters the device’s chamber some light is scattered by the smoke particles, which is then detected by the sensor. Ionisation detectors were once used for detecting smoke but are now less popular due to their radiation content and issues surrounding their shipment and ultimate disposal. Aspirating smoke detectors sense microscopic smoke particles in a sampling chamber, and beam detectors work by smoke obscuring a percentage of the light between an infrared transmitter and receiver. Some heat detectors use what is called a thermistor to detect temperature changes, while others use resistance as a type of detection. Fixed detectors have a pre-set temperature threshold, and rate-of-rise detectors react to a sudden rise from a baseline condition. A linear detector uses a special cable to detect heat anywhere along its length. A flame detector detects either ultraviolet or infrared light emitted by a fire. In addition to straightforward smoke, heat, flame and beam detectors the current Hochiki non-addressable offering, for example, also includes: intrinsically safe smoke and heat detectors; waterproof fixed temperature heat detectors; and industrial intrinsically safe and industrial explosionproof flame detectors. The company’s analogue addressable sensor line-up comprises: high performance optical sensors; combined optical and heat models; variable temperature and multi-heat sensors; and waterproof multi-heat sensors. So, each type of detector is designed for a particular fire risk. Change the risk – for example, turn an office into a test laboratory – and you may well need to change to another type of sensor or detector to maintain the integrity of the installation, which reinforces the need for ongoing fire risk assessments. A failure to spot the need to change the detector may, at best, lead to the now-inappropriate device initiating false alarms; at worst, the outcome could be a fire, followed by
Enhanced performance In recent years there have been a number of improvements to detection devices that have boosted their reliability and performance. In particular, major advances have been made to their ability to differentiate between a real fire and environmental pollution or other conditions that may previously have initiated a false alarm. For example, Hochiki incorporates what is called Flat Response high performance chamber technology into all of its optical sensors and detectors, including the intrinsically safe and marineapproved devices. This optimises the device’s sensitivity to both smouldering and flaming fires. Also, by re-engineering and refining the internal optics, the sensor’s or detector’s reaction to a wider range of inputs has been enhanced. A suite of false alarm management tools is incorporated within Hochiki’s ESP – Enhanced System Protocol – analogue addressable open protocol to further improve immunity from false alarms. This suite, called ARM – which stands for Alarm Reduction Management – includes Drift Compensation that, when activated by the control panel, automatically recalibrates sensors every 24 hours. ESP also provides what is called full digital transmission for exceptionally secure signalling, and incorporates Checksum error checking to safeguard the integrity of the data and ensure reliably correct communication. It also has high immunity from electrical noise, so there are no false alarms due to corruption. Siting detection devices BS 5839 Part 1: 2002 (Fire detection and alarm systems for buildings. Code of practice for system design, installation, commissioning and maintenance) is the appropriate European standard. It provides recommendations for fire detection and fire alarm systems in and around buildings, other than dwellings. The Standard covers systems that range from those comprising only one or two manual call points and sounders to complex networked systems that incorporate a large number of automatic fire detectors, manual call points and sounders, connected to numerous intercommunicating control and indicating panels. It sets out a number of requirements that apply to detectors and sensors. These include: the coverage radius and need for overlapping to avoid “blind spots” for optical smoke and heat detectors; the requirements for smoke and heat detectors in rooms with apex ceilings; the spacing of devices in corridors; and the positioning of devices in relation to obstructions. The Standard also covers the mounting of devices near light fittings, in ceiling voids, near lifts, elevators and stairways. To assist installation designers and installers, Hochiki has produced a free Guide to BS 5839 Part 1: 2002, which illustrates the main points contained in the Standard. However, this is in no way intended as a substitute for the Standard itself. Copies are available via email to IFP news@hochikieurope.com. INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
Above All Expectations. There’s only one phrase that sums up the latest products from Hochiki. There’s a low-cost voice alarm system that’s feature packed and new industrial flame detectors that will dramatically reduce false alarms. Then there’s a new fast-fit module housing system that will revolutionise site installation and a new high-sensitivity system that cuts the cost of smoke detection.
The phrase? Above All Expectations Hochiki. Because nothing else is quite good enough. If you want to know more, talk to Hochiki today.
Hochiki Europe (UK) Ltd Grosvenor Road, Gillingham Business Park Gillingham, Kent ME8 0SA UK Tel: +44 (0)1634 260136 Email: enquiries@hochikieurope.com
www.hochikieurope.com
WATER MIST
Descriptive Analysis on Water Mist Fire Extinguishing Systems By Alex Palau LPG Product Manager
Water mist extinguishing systems optimise the amount of water used through maximising their effective volume, through the dispersion of tiny droplets. This in turn maximises the cooling capacity for a given amount of water. The reduction of water volume reduces the damage that can be caused using conventional water extinguishing systems.
T
he advantages of these systems are important and can be summarised as follows:
● ● ● ● ●
INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
Economical. Minimum cost of extinguishing agent Ecological. No harm to the environment Electrically non-conductive Efficient for flammable liquid fires Safe for the protected equipment and occupied personnel
●
Reduction of water damage compared with conventional water systems ● Significant reduction of enclosure temperature ● Removal by washing of toxic gas and smoke ● Multi-discharge systems Water mist systems provide a fast and efficient suppression for class A (wood, paper), B (liquid fuels) and C (electrical)* fires. They eliminate the hazard of re-ignition, offer an unparalleled suppression of deep seated fires, destroying and 53
WATER MIST
DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS ON WATER MIST FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS
filtering smokes. Perhaps the most important fact of all is that only very small amounts of water are used. Nowadays water mist systems are used in the protection of civil and military ships, machines rooms, machinery spaces, data processing centre, bilge, cabin and public areas. Likewise, their use in industrial applications is growing widely covering applications such as turbine rooms, machinery rooms, generator rooms, data processing centres, archives, subway and underground hazards and mobile material, etc. The only standard on water mist systems that is currently published, NFPA 750, establishes the methodology to be followed for system design, installation and testing, indicating which parts are required to be approved, and what documentation is required. The onus is on the manufacturer to be responsible for the design and specific application engineering.
Use in Normally Occupied Areas The most important aspect for the use of systems in normally occupied areas is that of toxicity. An extinguishing agent may create a toxic atmosphere which is hazardous to those personnel occupying the area. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) in the USA established a program on Classification and Acceptance of new extinguishing agents used to substitute Halons. This program is called SNAP (Significant New Alternatives Policy). For the approval of water mist systems for normally occupied areas EPA set up a medical panel for a study on possible health hazards associated with the inhalation of water mist from a discharge, etc. The results of this study show no local or remote toxicity link and as a result water mist systems are approved for areas normally occupied as long as drinking water or sea water is used (Federal Registry, 28th July 1998). Water Mist Extinguishing Mechanism It is well known that conventional extinguishing agents, with the exception of the Halons and dry *Note that for Electrical Fires Class C is used in the USA and Class E in the UK.
54
chemical powder, act on fire by means of the following mechanisms: cooling, combustible smothering or oxygen starvation. Halons and dry powder act mainly by cessation of combustion through the inhibition of free radicals. These mechanisms are described by the “fire triangle” and “fire tetrahedron”. Water mist owes its extinguishing efficiency to the combination of the following three methods: ● Cooling: Water mist has a large cooling capacity. Water spread in micron size droplets produces a large surface area for heat absorption. Additionally these micro-droplets vaporise on contact with hot bodies or gases absorbing a large amount of heat equivalent to 540 calories/gram ● Smothering: The vapour generated displaces an equivalent volume of oxygen which produces a smothering effect ● Attenuation: Radiation is produced through the increase of combustion temperature of additional black body mass. Mist formed in the protected volume significantly reduces the effects of this radiation. Other after secondary effect is considered: ● Dilution: A degree of vapour flammability is required to maintain combustion. Under certain conditions water mist appears to decrease the vapour concentration below the flammability limit. It is worth reflecting briefly on the combustion and flammability of solids and liquids. The combustion of solids or liquids starts when sufficient heat is present to generate flammable vapours and to reach the ignition temperature. The heat will generate more volatility of combustible material and generate a chain reaction. It follows that any extinguishing mechanism should be produced in conditions such that the volatility and ignition occur. The efficiency of water mist is in its ability to mix within this environment. Therefore water mist systems will only be efficient if they are capable of establishing contact with the combustible material in this phase.
Applications of Water Mist Systems Water mist systems are mainly used in the following applications described within NFPA 750: ● Fire control: Limits the spread of fire growth; “pre-wetting” of adjacent combustible materials; controlling upper combustion air temperature ● Fire suppression: Substantial and rapid reduction of fire related factors, releasing of heat during the discharge period ● Fire extinguishment: Complete fire suppression and control of combustible material. Toxicology There are innumerable micro-organisms in water. The two main carrier methods of disease are water ingestion and inhaling. As most of the drops exceed 20 microns in diameter ingestion is the most important method. The conditions which affect water are: ● The type of water. It is assumed that drinking water contains few micro-organisms in comparison to non-potable water. If the concentration of chlorine is increased from 2mg/l to 4mg/l Legionnaire’s disease is eliminated ● The type of container. There are containers INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
Efficient Fire Fighting with high pressure water mist The Sem-Safe® system provides optimal protection while being environmentally friendly, harmless to users, and with far less impact on buildings and interiors than traditional systems. This result in significantly reduced lifecycle costs, asset damage and operational downtime in all ‘business critical’ applications, and thereby offer a greatly enhanced cost/benefit ratio.
Sem-Safe® – the unique high-pressure water mist system from Danfoss Semco
INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
3...2...1...0 2052
www.danfoss-semco.com
55
WATER MIST
DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS ON WATER MIST FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS
which facilitate the growing of micro-organisms but others that do not. Appropriate maintenance and cleaning of containers will eliminate the formations of micro-organisms. Legionnaire’s disease is transmitted by inhaling contaminated water. Assuming that little water is inhaled and that if water is inside enclosures (as in LPG systems) the risk is very low. It is assumed that in general the risk of disease transmission is low and insignificant when maintenance and cleaning operations are carried out. It is considered that the amount of corroded pipe elements is insignificant to health. The inhalation of water containing toxic fire components is dependent on the type of components. Part of the component could be dissolved in the water and enter into the lungs and most will be in contact with the skin and eyes. Results are difficult to establish as it depends on fire type but it is considered better to have an effective fire extinguishing system and that less smoke is generated. The use of water additives should be considered for each particular case and depends on the product added. Additives with low toxicity or those used in small amounts will not cause problems.
Standards There are few standards for water mist systems and none of them will give any guidance on where nozzles shall be placed and which is the correct flow rate of them for each application. NFPA 750 standard, which can be considered as main reference standard, only describes existing water mist technologies, gives hydraulic calculations methods 56
and gives minimum requirements for pipes, hangers . . . NFPA 750 considers that water mist systems must be listed for specific hazards and protection objectives due to the absence of a generalized design method. At his last revision (2006 edition) there is a list of worldwide published and recognized fire protocols that can be referenced (some of them are still under discussion). These worldwide published fire protocols are published by different recognized entities (IMO, VdS, FM, UL . . .). Protocols main purpose is to evaluate water mist performance under specific conditions. It’s very important to understand that protocols are design in accordance to the intended use of the fire protection system as defined by the standard or by the design and installation manual approved by a recognized entity. As an example, CEN water mist task group has develop a standard (nowadays under review) which includes a protocol to evaluate total flooding water mist system performance to protect enclosed rooms where pool fires may develop. Some of the fires on the protocol are small (around 1 MW) and obstructed. Degree of obstruction has been a compromise to guarantee full develop fire (increasing obstruction may had restricted air entrance to flame) and to provide a reasonable degree of obstruction to water droplets. It’s believed that this protocol defines a representative hard enough scenario but at any case is believed that it is a real scenario. Because of that, CEN standard specifies as pass/fail criteria, that all fires described on the protocol have to be extinguished for the system to be allowed to be installed as a control system IFP (minimum discharge time 30 minutes). INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
It’s a fact that poor quality and often dangerous cable, like that shown here, is available in today’s market. The manufacturers pay scant regard to industry standards, resulting in products that under perform and in certain
To know the true cost of using cheap cable cases are downright lethal. At Draka we work hard to drive standards of design and manufacture higher so that our customers can enjoy the benefits of products they can rely on, totally. If you share the same high standards, always specify the brand you can trust – Draka.
The world’s most trusted cable brand Draka UK Limited, P.O. Box 6500, Alfreton Road, Derby, DE21 4ZH, UK Tel: +44 (0)1332 345431 Fax: +44 (0)1332 331237 email: cableuk@draka.com www.drakauk.com
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ROGUE CABLES
Rogue Cables – a Risk
By Mark Froggatt Marketing Services Manager, Draka UK
58
Internationally, the talk about poor quality cables is reaching a crescendo. But what is it all about? And why should it concern everyone in the fire industry? Mark Froggatt, Marketing Services Manager of UK-based cable manufacturer, Draka UK, explains.
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hen, in the UK, the former DTI (Department of Trade & Industry) – now called the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform – and BASEC (British Approvals Service for Cables) go public about their concerns regarding rogue cables being available on the market, it is most certainly time to sit up and take notice. While some of the evidence is anecdotal, it is too plentiful to continue ignoring, particularly with the increasing prospect of legal action following in the aftermath of a fire. And the situation shows little sign of abating. Like many of the reputable cable manufacturers, Draka has a sin-box of sample rogue cables that is filling up fast. The message from BASEC could not be clearer. A press release issued by the organisation included unequivocal advice to everyone in the market: do not take a supplier’s claim at face value, as faulty or non-compliant products are becoming a major industry issue. Its warning is that there is now a “severe danger” of cables being supplied and installed that lack independent third-party approval and fall short of the required performance level. Dr Jeremy Hodge, chief executive of BASEC, is quoted as saying: “A common misunderstanding is thinking that a cable is compliant, or is even
BASEC approved, just because the supplier claims that it has been produced to a certain standard. This is not the case. Cables marked with just a standard number should be treated with extreme caution. It is possible that no-one has independently examined that cable.”
What’s the problem? The problem seems to have its origin in the escalating price of copper over the past few years. Reports soon circulated that some unscrupulous producers had fallen prey to the temptation to cut corners and use less copper in the manufacturing process. Reducing the diameter of the copper wire too much has the effect of reducing the current rating and increasing the resistivity of the cable. This could potentially result in overheating, which could lead to fire or reduce the level of safety against electrical shock. From there the situation worsened. Recently, there have been instances where materials other than pure copper, such as steel wire, copper-coated aluminium or badly recycled copper have been used in cables. These instances seem to be restricted to cable originating outside of the EU, and now also seem to include incorrect cable construction resulting in inferior fire performance. This can have INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
ROGUE CABLES – A RISK NOT WORTH TAKING
ROGUE CABLES
Not Worth Taking
a serious detrimental impact on the safety and reliability of fire detection and alarm systems, and emergency lighting installations.
Why worry? Because this is a problem for everyone; nobody can wash their hands of it. Just consider the following scenario. A contractor buys cable requesting that it is to comply with a specific British, European or international standard. Cable is supplied that is proudly inscribed with the claimed standard, indicating a specific fire-resistance rating. Thousands of metres of the cable are installed when fate steps in and fire
asked to prove that the materials supplied were backed up by the required levels of certification and accreditation from the manufacturer. Sound bad enough? Well, that could be just the beginning. How long do you think it would be before other customers are asking questions about the “compliant” cable supplied to them? It is this scenario which is causing concern, and why there are certain reputable manufacturers who are delivering this warning message to the whole of the supply chain. In England and Wales, for example, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order has made the market far more conscious of the need to use only
A press release issued by the organisation included unequivocal advice to everyone in the market: do not take a supplier’s claim at face value, as faulty or non-compliant products are becoming a major industry issue. breaks out. The cable is found to be defective. Welcome to the world of litigation, substantial costs, and a reputation that has taken time to build and grow, goes from well respected and into the dustbin in one quick step. The specifier defends his actions by pointing out that he had clearly stated the standards to which the cable must apply. Attention then swings to the installer. In turn, they show the cable the wholesaler or distributor supplied, which probably has the standard printed on the outside. They will undoubtedly argue that they asked for compliant cable, and relied on their trade supplier’s expert advice and care. Finally, the wholesaler will be INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
proven, third-party approved, top quality products. Relying on assertions that a cable is manufactured to a specific standard simply will no longer do. The Fire Safety Order places responsibilities on all of us to take ‘reasonable’ steps to ensure fire safety and so it is reasonable for wholesalers to demand independent test certification by such fully accredited organisations as BASEC, TÜV or LPCB (Loss Prevention Certification Board). The importance of this third-party accreditation is that the specifier, the trade supplier and the installer can be sure that the cable being supplied today is built to exactly – and the key word is “exactly” – the same standard and specification as 59
ROGUE CABLES – A RISK NOT WORTH TAKING
ROGUE CABLES
the cable that was originally tested and approved. If the cable is from a producer that does not have this third-party accreditation there is, in reality, no guarantee whatsoever that it is manufactured to the standard being claimed for it. This is important even when buying cable from a well known manufacturer. Earlier cable from that supplier may have been up to standard, but resourcing materials and accepting a different specification, changing the formulation of the coating or sheathing, or modifying the design are just examples of changes that can affect the performance of a cable that still proudly – but now erroneously – bears the standard’s compliance mark. Consider for a moment the growing international trend to use fire engineering principles and
becoming commonplace, they are integrated into a single building management system. So, to ensure that they continue to operate in a fire, it is absolutely essential that the power circuits continue to function to the standard required by legislation and the specifier’s requirements. Use a sub-standard rogue cable in these instances and the results could be catastrophic in terms of loss of life and the destruction of property.
Never mind the quality, what’s the price? The fact that these rogue cables and sharp practices have come to light actually increases the need to insist on supplying and using only thirdparty accredited cable and, of course, making sure
The fact that these rogue cables and sharp practices have come to light actually increases the need to insist on supplying and using only third-party accredited cable and, of course, making sure that hard evidence of that accreditation is produced. techniques to devise fire safety solutions. This is particularly so for large or complex buildings, or those that establish new architectural or building design boundaries. Frequently in these structures, occupant safety, structural integrity and property protection rely solely on the dependable operation of sophisticated fire detection and alarm systems; smoke venting systems; electrically-operated fire doors and smoke curtains; firefighting lifts; pressurisation and depressurisation fans; motor-driven smoke control dampers; and pumps for sprinkler systems and wet-risers. To be effective, these life-preserving systems and components must remain operational under fire conditions, the more so if, as is increasingly
60
that hard evidence of that accreditation is produced. This gives out very positive and powerful messages. For example, it can be used to illustrate that quality is of paramount importance to the company, while also demonstrating its understanding of the increasingly legislative environment in which the market now operates, and of the need for full compliance with the country’s fire IFP safety legislation. Mark Froggatt can be contacted by telephone on +44 (0) 1332 345431, by fax on +44 (0) 1332 331237, and via email at mark.froggatt@ draka.com. The company’s website is at www.drakauk.com
INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
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PENETRATION SEALS
Repeating History Recent Developments In The Firestop
By Randy G. Clark Manager, Firestop Technologies, International Div. Rectorseal Houston, TX
62
“Progress, far from consisting in change, depends on retentiveness. When change is absolute there remains no being to improve and no direction is set for possible improvement: and when experience is not retained, as among savages, infancy is perpetual. Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. In the first stage of life the mind is frivolous and easily distracted; it misses progress by failing in consecutiveness and persistence. This is the condition of children and barbarians, in which instinct has learned nothing from experience.” George Santayana, The Life of Reason, Volume 1, 1905
T
his quote from the philosopher George Santayana is often reduced to the one line: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Often this is an admonition to remember the mistakes made in the past and not to repeat them. But, this is not always the case. Yes, we must know our history but it is not all filled with mistakes. We have had numerous accomplishments in the relatively short history of our Firestop Industry. Some of the recent developments (or what well may be considered
accomplishments) include those found in: Codes, Standards and in the various Organizations associated with our Industry. If memory serves, it was in the 1988 edition of the UBC where Firestopping was first associated with compliance to ASTM E814. Before that time, compliance to Firestopping was by the use of “an approved method”. This was very much open to interpretation by the Code Officials; but by prescribing compliance to E814, progress was made. At that time, the major model Building INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
REPEATING HISTORY IS NOT A BAD THING
PENETRATION SEALS
is Not a Bad Thing: Industry Codes in the United States, were dominated by three regional Code organizations: Building Officials and Code Administrators International (BOCA), International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) and Southern Building Code Congress International, Inc. (SBCCI). For many years, there had been the desire to have one Model Building Code recognized throughout the country. In 1994, the International Code Council was formed by these Code organizations to accomplish the task. There was even participation by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in this endeavor. Work began on what was to become the International Building Code (IBC), which was first published in 1997. In 2000, the ICC developed a series of International Codes. During those years, NFPA pulled out of the alliance and began work on a competing National Model Building Code, to become known as NFPA 5000. Their Code was first published in August 2002 and its early ‘preprint’ followed the original “EPCOT” based format. Though the NFPA has a long history with the establishment and publication of Codes, for example NFPA 101, “Life-Safety Code” and NFPA 70, “National Electrical Code”; the pursuit to have their Building Code adopted by local jurisdictions has greatly fallen behind the adoption of the IBC.
serve the public and after all, it is they, along with the noble men and women serving as Fire Fighters and Life Rescue Personnel, whom we need to protect. A Balanced approach is needed where the vital elements of Detection, Suppression and Compartmentation work together, as ‘active’ and ‘passive’ parts to complement and enhance each other; not one overshadowing the others, but all working together as a team. This is to what we should aspire. There have been recent developments within the Standards relating to both Testing and Practices directly related to our Firestop Industry. We normally trace our Fire Test Standards to ASTM
During the early 1990s, the Industry sought to address the Fire Testing of rated construction joints which resulted in the publication of UL 2079, “Standard for Tests for Fire Resistance of Building Joint Systems” in 1993 and which was later followed by the ASTM E 1966, “Standard Test Method for Fire-Resistive Joint Systems”. It is a monumental accomplishment and an arduous task to blend three long standing model Building Codes into one document acceptable to all. It is a process of compromise as well as an opportunity to come together to strengthen the final document in areas where there may have been room to improve issues of Life-Safety. It has been the opinion of many in the Industry, including my own, that the new Code provides too many areas where ‘trade-offs’ occur. For example, areas where using sprinklers could allow a reduction or elimination of previously required fire rated barriers. Sprinklers have a long history as a primary active part of a Total Fire Protection Package. However, it is widely accepted that a “Balanced” approach for Total Fire Protection could better INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
E119, “Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials”, which was first published in 1917. It is still used today in the testing and rating of walls, floors, beams and columns. It was from the roots of E119 that our Industry produced ASTM E814, “Standard Test Method for Fire Tests of Through-Penetration Fire Stops”. Underwriters Laboratories (UL) also produced similar Test Standards with the issuance of UL 263 and UL 1479, respectively. Though the NFPA published their own Standard for E119/UL 263 in the form of NFPA 251, they have as yet not published one specific to Penetrations. During the early 1990s, the Industry sought to address the Fire Testing of rated construction joints which resulted in the publication of UL 2079, “Standard 63
PENETRATION SEALS
for Tests for Fire Resistance of Building Joint Systems” in 1993 and which was later followed by the ASTM E 1966, “Standard Test Method for Fire-Resistive Joint Systems”. These standards allowed for further refinement in the testing specific to construction joints in that they allowed for the cycling of the joint, a characteristic long suspect in the severity of performance. The Standards also allowed for tests to be performed on small scale furnaces, a realistic advantage so long
of Installed Fire Resistive Joint Systems and Perimeter Fire Barriers”. Both Standards lend themselves to the establishment of a more comprehensive and consistently performed inspection by providing excellent guidance for not only what needs to be inspected but also as to how the inspections can be performed. Specifically to the testing of Through-Penetrations, UL has also added provisions to the UL 1479 and UL 2079 which call out the procedures for the
Specifically to the testing of Through-Penetrations, UL has also added provisions to the UL 1479 and UL 2079 which call out the procedures for the option to test in order to establish both L- and W-Ratings for either Penetration or Joint System Designs. as the joint’s length to width ratio was no greater than 10:1. The Standards maintained the integrity of the rated adjacent surfaces, in that the joint and the area adjacent to the joint must maintain the same limits for the temperature rise on the unexposed side of the assembly. Additionally, with the rise in 3rd Party Inspections, ASTM has developed specific Standard Practices with ASTM E2174, “Standard Practice for On-Site Inspection of Installed Fire Stops” as well as with ASTM E2393, “Standard Practice for On-Site Inspection 64
option to test in order to establish both L- and W-Ratings for either Penetration or Joint System Designs. The L-Rating is an air leakage rate measured through the System determined from tests conducted at both ambient (75ºF/24ºC) and at an elevated (400ºF/204ºC) temperatures with a differential pressure of 0.30 inches of water (75 Pa). The W-Rating is for the evaluation of water tightness and indicates the level of water tightness achieved during the test by the System Design. Even more significant to the Industry was the INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
REPEATING HISTORY IS NOT A BAD THING
issuance by UL of two revisions to the UL 1479 which: a) mandated the evaluation of the performance of Intumescent materials used within System Designs and b) eliminated the use of a ‘chase’ wall during a penetration test. Often referred to as “Accelerated Aging”, these tests “. . . were developed to address the performance of intumescent materials after installation.” As further stated by Bob Berhinig of UL in his article, “UL’s Enhanced Requirements for Intumescent Firestop Products” published in “The Fire & Security Authority”, Issue 4 in 2006, he continues by writing that the test protocols “. . . require that the expansion properties (are) to be demonstrated after exposing the intumescent material to accelerated aging and high humidity conditions.” He continues by saying that passage of the tests can be “. . . determined using either bench top testing methods or the traditional fire test method.” Though not perfect (but what test method is), it was by this procedure that the Industry gained some uniform measure of comparative performance for intumescent products established by a world recognized independent organization. Additionally, UL implemented a change of the test method with the elimination of the use of a chase wall for concrete floor/ceiling assemblies and wood floor/ceiling assemblies where the
PENETRATION SEALS
System Designs which match site conditions. By eliminating the ability to test and list a chase wall application, are we meeting their needs? Lastly, the 1990s saw the formation of two significant organizations in our Firestop Industry: the International Firestop Council (IFC) and the Firestop Contractors International Association (FCIA). The IFC was formed by leading manufacturers of Firestopping Products and has for well over a decade promoted “Saving Lives and Property Through Fire and Smoke Containment”. This has been done through the efforts of many dedicated people and companies by the promotion of Life Safety through the Balanced approach to Fire Protection. Through their efforts, Codes and Standards have been influenced and various Programs have been developed and used to educate and inform Architects, Engineers and Building Officials, to mention only a few. It was out of the IFC that several of the organization’s associate members, mostly specialty contractors, formed what was to become the FCIA. Here too, this organization has grown and expanded in membership and influence to become a respected and influential member of our Industry. One significant contribution by the FCIA has been their influence and work in the establishment by Factory Mutual of FM 4991, the
Lastly, the 1990s saw the formation of two significant organizations in our Firestop Industry: the International Firestop Council (IFC) and the Firestop Contractors International Association (FCIA). The IFC was formed by leading manufacturers of Firestopping Products and has for well over a decade promoted “Saving Lives and Property Through Fire and Smoke Containment”. penetrants were contained within a fire-rated wall assembly. Before this time, the test assembly could be constructed with the penetrant housed within a rated chase wall, typically a framed gypsum wall, as it emerged from the floor. With this design, the penetrants are ‘protected’ from the full exposure of the fire during the test period. I have usually referred to this design as a ‘bake’ and not as a ‘burn’, because of the ‘sheltering’ affect caused by the chase wall. In UL’s explanation of the change (published on their website), they stated that “this revision reflects a more realistic worst-case condition”. When testing a penetrant such as a 3 inch (75mm) non-metallic pipe which is installed within a tight opening, a typical firestop sealant could be used at the interface of the pipe and the hole and still meet the Standard’s acceptance criteria. If the pipe was fully exposed and this design was used, the firestop sealant could never close off the pipe sufficiently to pass the test. I agree that the fully exposed penetrant is worst-case, but there are site conditions where the penetrants do pass through the floor assembly into (that is through) the cavity of a framed gypsum wall, which could either be of a rated or a non-rated construction. Over the past years, our Industry has attempted to educate Building Officials to approve for use only those INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
“Standard for the Approval of Firestop Contractors”. With the introduction of this very comprehensive program, Specialty Firestop Contractors have raised the bar for installers in our Industry. They have also proven influential with the architects as is evidenced by the increased appearance of specifications which call out the requirement for contractors to have completed the FM 4991 Program. Their influence is also evidenced by UL’s introduction of their own procedure for a “Qualified Firestop Contractor Program”. Obviously, the need in having a procedure in place by which these specialty contractors can be trained and audited has found a place within our Industry. Santayana may have seen only the mistakes in our history and cautioned against repeating them, but there has been much good accomplished in our Industry’s history in recent years. I am confident that with our many dedicated and committed people, who are willing to put Life-Safety issues above their own or their company’s desires, our future will be bright. We will take the positive elements from our history and not only learn from them, but also build upon them and continue to strive toward our mutual goal of providing the best Life-Safety protection for the IFP Public Good. 65
whoever, wherever, whenever... ...be prepared for fire! There are over 100 years of design and manufacturing expertise behind every TOTAL Portable Fire Extinguisher, so reach out with complete confidence for a range of solutions to cover all types of fire risk. TOTAL portable fire extinguishers are safe and reliable, as well as being simple to operate. The whole range features innovative improvements in fire fighting performance, coupled with the very highest levels of build quality and backed by our 5-year product warranty. Continuous research and development keep TOTAL Portables at the leading edge of technology. Stringently tested and approved, TOTAL’s portfolio of extinguishers meets all national performance and approval standards for complete user confidence.
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EXTINGUISHERS
Portable Extinguishers – Training is the Key to Safe and Effective Use
By Steve Walker UK Sales Manager, TOTAL® portables, Tyco Fire Suppression & Building Products
INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
When fire breaks out, portable fire extinguishers are frequently the first line of attack. However, there is clearly some confusion about their role in fire safety, and their safe and effective use demands proper training. Steve Walker, UK Sales Manager for TOTAL® portables at Tyco Fire Suppression & Building Products, explains.
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risk assessment carried out recently at a British apartment block recommended that portable fire extinguishers be removed from the common areas “as a way of improving fire safety”. Considering that there is a mass of statistics from the UK and Europe that clearly show the life and property saving role that portable extinguishers play, this seems to be a very odd decision. It becomes more puzzling with the news that it is a view that appears to be supported by the local fire brigade at a time when fire safety legislation in
the UK has placed the responsibility for fire safety onto the shoulders of building owners and occupiers. It also seems at odds with other fire brigades that are actually offering training in the use of portable extinguishers. It has to be said that, if this advice to remove portable extinguishers is widely adopted, we are in for a dramatic rise in the number of fires. It appears that these particular risk assessors believe that extinguishers are a hazard in untrained hands and could encourage people to try to tackle a blaze themselves rather than leaving 67
EXTINGUISHERS
PORTABLE EXTINGUISHERS – TRAINING IS THE KEY TO SAFE AND EFFECTIVE USE
extinguished by portables compares with figures from the UK government’s Department of Communities and Local Government that show that the fire and rescue service in the UK attended 88,400 fires in buildings in the UK in 2006. So the contribution made by the effective use of portable extinguishers is undeniable, and adopting a widespread policy of removing them would place a crushing burden on an already strained fire service, possibly with catastrophic consequences. An otherwise minor fire would be allowed to turn into a major blaze while an overstretched fire service struggles to deal with a near doubling of calls for assistance.
the building. But, considering the huge number of fires that are safely extinguished every year using portable extinguishers, surely it makes more sense to focus on providing training rather than removing what has proven to be a very effective means of containing a small fire? The local brigade, according to newspaper reports, subscribes to the “get out, stay out and call the fire service out” approach. However, this advice means that the residents of this multi-storey building should resist any urge to extinguish a minor waste bin fire in the foyer, activate the alarm, evacuate the entire building and await the arrival of the fire brigade.
Train for a safe outcome So, surely, we should be focusing on the safe use of portable extinguishers, rather than dismissing them and – as it appears to be in the British apartment block – leaving nothing in their place. In England and Wales, for example, The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order covers the common areas in such buildings, which means that there is a legal imperative to appoint a “responsible person”, to ensure that adequate training is provided, and ensure that residents are aware of the fire safety precautions being implemented in the building.
The contribution made by the effective use of portable extinguishers is undeniable, and adopting a widespread policy of removing them would place a crushing burden on an
Facing the facts This sounds like a credible solution until you take into account that things are very different in today’s UK fire service. Following the Fire and Rescue Act in 2004, every UK fire brigade now has what is called an IRMP – an Integrated Risk Management Plan – that is aimed at the difficult task of balancing its obligations with its resources. The outcome in some parts of the country is that brigades will now not respond to an alarm unless there is “visual confirmation” of a fire; other brigades will, in the first instance, send a fourwheel-drive vehicle to assess the fire before committing further resources; others – unless there is reason to believe that people are inside the building – will not permit firefighters to enter an unfamiliar building to tackle a blaze. Also, some stations now have lower manning levels during the night. The fact of the matter, according to a survey conducted by FETA (Fire Extinguishing Trades Association) – now merged with the BFPSA to form the Fire Industry Association – is that portable extinguishers save the British economy alone around £500 million every year and extinguish completely around 66,000 fires. Even these figures may underestimate the role played by portable extinguishers as they are designed to prevent relatively minor incidents becoming major conflagrations, so their use often goes unreported. To put this into perspective, the 66,000 fires 68
already strained fire service, possibly with catastrophic consequences. Training in the safe use of portable extinguishers is readily available and inexpensive. Many fire brigades now include information on the selection, siteing and use of portable extinguishers on their websites, as well as offering short training courses. Reputable suppliers of portable extinguishers also are only too willing to work with a building’s ‘responsible person’ regarding the selection of the most appropriate extinguisher, its siting, providing training, and help to ensure that the legislative requirements are being met. In essence, the training should cover emergency procedures, familiarisation of the building and its escape routes, an understanding of the different types of fire and their likely causes, the different types of portable extinguisher and their safe use, and when not to attempt to use a portable extinguisher to fight a blaze. This may, at first glance, appear to be a somewhat onerous schedule, but most training courses take between a couple of hours for a basic portable extinguisher course, to half-day courses run by such organisations as London Fire Brigade that combine portable extinguisher training with fire awareness. INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
EXTINGUISHERS
PORTABLE EXTINGUISHERS – TRAINING IS THE KEY TO SAFE AND EFFECTIVE USE
In whatever form it takes, the training has to empower the user to make intelligent decisions, and to do this they must understand the significance of the information carried on the portable. One particular aspect relates to the use of portables on electrical equipment, as many portables on the market state that they have been tested and are: “safe to use on electrical equip-
fires involving flammable solid materials such as wood, paper, straw and cloth; Class B fires involving flammable liquids or liquefiable solids; Class C fires involving gases, and Class D fires involving metals. However, the reality is that standard portables are aimed at fighting broad-brush classes of fire, and are not designed to fight very specific fire challenges, so there is a wider training need where special risks might be encountered. This training though needs to be directed primarily towards the trade and fire risk assessors to make them aware of the special risks and the portable extinguishers that are now available to tackle them. These special risks include: metalworking production areas where light metal and alloy waste can catch fire during machining operations and can, typically, reach temperatures in excess of 2000 degrees; mining and quarrying industries, where even the smallest amount of kinetic energy can initiate a coal dust explosion; and smouldering sawdust fires that are a serious fire hazard in every joinery shop, furniture manufacturing plant and timber processing facility. Other special risks are: fat and cooking oil fires that are difficult to extinguish, due to their high auto-ignition temperatures and where conventional extinguishers are ineffective, as they do not cool the burning fat or oil sufficiently and may even cause flashback; and polar solvent liquid fires where, again, conventional foam extinguishers are ineffective.
The fire industry globally is becoming ever more aware of the need for third-party accreditation as the only reliable means of verifying that products genuinely comply with the standard being claimed for them. ment up to 1000v at one-metre distance”. Stated in this way, rather than as suggested by the FIA (Fire Industry Association), that the extinguisher may: “inadvertently be discharged on electrical equipment…”, could well imply to the uninitiated that the portable is recommended for electrical fires.
Train the trainer The majority of fire risks can be easily identified during a professionally conducted fire risk assessment and most minor outbreaks can be successfully dealt with using one of the industry-standard portable extinguishers designed to fight Class A 70
Training or education? A final thought on training in relation to portable extinguishers might well come under the heading “education”. The fire industry globally is becoming ever more aware of the need for third-party accreditation as the only reliable means of verifying that products genuinely comply with the standard being claimed for them. This is certainly the case with portable fire extinguishers and end users should be encouraged to put their faith only in portables that are certification by an approved, independent third-party accreditation organisation such as TÜV and LPCB (Loss Prevention CertificaIFP tion Board). INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
CFI
FLOATING
ROOF
TANK
FIRE
PROTECTION
Proven and reliable first-line fire protection system on floating roof tanks. Experience and developments for over 40 years on this application is incorporated in the current CFI-system: Fully integrated early detection and fast acting automatic gaseous extinguishing system Environmental friendly CFI-gas leaving no residue Far better extinguishing capability than Halon Complete roof-mounted modular design Simple installation and easy maintenance Optional wireless monitoring to control room Installed on over 3000 tanks in 120 different countries
saval
Saval B.V. P.O. Box 3499 4800 DL Breda The Netherlands Tel: +31 76 5487000 Fax: +31 76 5417922 Web: www.saval.nl E-mail: syssales@saval.nl
the fire protection specialists: a safe feeling
RIM SEAL FIRE DETECTION & EXTINGUISHMENT THE
Supplier of foam insertion equipment and special nozzles
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INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
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STORAGE TANK FIRES
Storage Tank Fire Protection – preparing for the worst
By Peter Kristenson
While oil and petrochemical storage tank fires are rare, the fire at the Buncefield fuel depot in England in 2005 is a stark reminder of the imperative need to provide them with truly robust firefighting solutions. So argues Peter Kristenson, EMEA Product Manager for foam products with Tyco Fire Suppression & Building Products.
EMEA Product Manager, foam products, Tyco Fire Suppression & Building Products
T
INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
he statistics of the Buncefield fire make chilling reading; the fire engulfed more than 20 large fuel storage tanks and over 250,000 litres of foam concentrate and 25 million litres of water were needed to put out the blaze. It was the largest peacetime fire in Europe since the end of the Second World War and certainly at the top of the” major incident” scale of storage tank fires that occur, on average, once a month somewhere around the world, according to figures from Sveriges Provnings och Forskningsinstitut – the Swedish National Testing and Research Institute. The Buncefield fire destroyed five percent of the UK’s petrol stocks, resulted in the evacuation of some 2,000 homes, and is believed to have cost the site’s operator and the British nation well in excess of £I billion. Just eight months earlier, the massive explosion at BP’s Texas City refinery in the USA killed 15 people and injured 170 others.
So, even though petrochemical production, processing and storage facilities are constructed with meticulous care, and with painstaking attention to fire safety, tank farm fires do occur. When they do, firefighting protocols and equipment are tested to the limit. Hardly surprising then that the industry’s attention is well and truly focused on the need to employ the most effective fire safety measures. Incidents like Buncefield highlighted the necessity to embrace a more strategic approach to foam stocks and the need to forge closer working relationships between the petrochemicals industry and those companies best positioned to offer expert advice and deliver integrated agent and delivery solutions. In reality, there are just two possible responses to a storage tank fire, the first being to let it selfextinguish by leaving the fire to burn out. Clearly 73
STORAGE TANK FIRES
STORAGE TANK FIRE PROTECTION – PREPARING FOR THE WORST
not an acceptable solution from any standpoint – environmental, economic or political – as it would result in a massive fire that would burn for weeks, possibly months, and end only with the complete loss of the stored product. This response also calls for a major cooling operation to stop the fire from spreading to adjacent tanks and nearby structures. The second option, and far more effective and acceptable, is to actively extinguish the fire. This can be achieved only by using firefighting foams.
Fixed foam protection Effective fixed foam systems are undeniably the best method of protection for storage tanks, as they do not demand the hasty assembly of emergency equipment and manpower. However, the type of system selected depends mainly on two factors, the tank structure and the nature of its contents. It was almost 60 years ago that the first reliable storage tank fire protection solution was developed by SKUMTM. Since then, SKUM brand
74
systems have been developed for cone roof and fixed roof tanks, open-top floating roof tanks, covered floating roof tanks, and horizontal tanks. However, an explosion – such as occurred at Buncefield – may well result in significant damage to the tank structure, seriously reducing the effectiveness of foam generators used in fixed or “over-the-top” systems. So, while such systems have a well-earned reputation for cost effectiveness and reliability, this risk has lead to the more widespread use of the less vulnerable sub-surface injection systems for applications where there is sufficient water pressure available for their use. In sub-surface systems, foam is introduced close to the bottom of a tank through a separate foam line. The foam then floats to the surface to spread and extinguish the fire. However, extreme care needs to be taken to ensure that this technique is not used on gasoline blends that contain alcohol or other polar solvent additives as oxygenates, as polar solvents destroy the foam, even where alcohol-resistant concentrates are
INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
Say goodbye to broken glass
used. Sub-surface injection also cannot be used on cone roof tanks with internal floaters, in accordance with NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) 11 – Standard for Low, Medium and High-expansion Foams. The semi-subsurface injection technique overcomes this problem. It can be used for all types of fuel and has all of the benefits of sub-surface injection. This technique uses a flexible hose that is filled with foam under pressure. When the system is activated, the hose floats from the bottom of the tank to deliver the foam to the surface. This technique is cited by the NFPA as being successfully installed in more than 60 countries around the world.
Fixed monitors & generators Fixed monitors have shown to be a cost effective method for protecting relatively small storage tanks and associated spill or ground fires. Increasingly, remotely-operated monitors with electrical or hydraulic control systems and exceptional throw performance are enabling firefighters to remain at a safe distance from the fire. So much so that monitors have been used successfully to extinguish fires in larger diameter tanks, using high-flow devices and large diameter fire hoses. Today, delivery capabilities span from 1,000 litres-aminute up to more than 20,000 litres-a-minute. However, in accordance with NFPA 11, monitors should not though be deployed as primary protection for cone roof tanks with diameters in excess of 18 metres. Following an explosion, horizontal tanks have been known to rupture, so it is essential to ensure that the bund area is sufficiently protected. Even for larger bund areas in major tank farms, fixed low or medium-expansion generators can be used to create an effective foam blanket, with any residual fuel in the tank being protected using a monitor. In fact, monitors can be used to protect the bund area, but this results in much higher foam consumption, and the recommendation is for at least two monitors to protect larger bunds to ensure complete coverage and the effectiveness of the equipment in all wind conditions. Fixed systems are also now more frequently used for floating roof tanks than was once the case. SKUM has developed specialised equipment for these applications, where foam pourers are used to protect the rim seal area, with the foam being contained by a foam dam. Nevertheless, good foam fluidity is essential to ensure that coverage is achieved rapidly. Some oil companies have installed both foam pourers and sub-surface INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
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STORAGE TANK FIRE PROTECTION – PREPARING FOR THE WORST
STORAGE TANK FIRES
systems to protect covered floating roof tanks. Mobile trailer-mounted monitors come into their own as back-up for fixed foam systems, protecting the tank itself or the bund surrounding it, although with the advent of increasingly larger floating roof tanks, large-capacity monitor trailers
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76
are now also being adopted as primary firefighting solutions.
Suppressing vapour emissions Foam is the ideal medium for the suppression of vapour from flammable liquids, toxic chemicals and LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas). For many years, it has been used with considerable success to cover un-ignited spills to ensure that ignition does not occur and provide a vapour barrier to prevent re-ignition. The best foams are fluoroprotein-based foams or multi-purpose foams, which must always be used if covering water-soluble fuels. These multi-purpose foams are, if used at mediumexpansion rates, particularly effective because they engulf the spill in a deep layer of stable foam bubbles that is not easily affected by wind on exposed sites. Toxic chemicals – chlorine, ammonia and the like – are also stored in bulk and are a significant hazard if spilled, even into a containment area. Toxic vapour clouds can spread to represent a major contamination risk and, depending on the product’s reactivity, either conventional firefighting foams or specialist concentrates can be applied. Here too, medium-expansion foam is the most effective solution with a layer of at least 0.5 metres being applied within three to four minutes. The American Gas Association, British Gas and Gaz de France have conducted extensive trials to evaluate the suitability of high-expansion foam as a vapour suppressant on LNG spills. These have also shown that high-expansion foam can contribute significantly to the control of LNG spill fires. Of course, the practice should be to contain spills, wherever possible, within drainage systems to prevent their spreading. However, fighting fires in these drainage systems using portable equipment may well jeopardise the lives of fire fighters, as the draining systems can be so complex. In such cases, fixed monitors are often installed that incorporate supplementary hose lines to extinguish IFP any small remaining pockets of fire. INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
The types of fire panels currently available. Confusing?
Fire protection: Fire alarm systems New Modular Fire Panel 5000 Series from Bosch
By Claus Caspari Manager, Market Support Fire, Bosch Security Systems
INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
In the past, anyone considering purchasing a fire panel was confronted with a bewildering array of different panel sizes and types. Bosch has now come to the rescue by designing a new, expandable model which can be used for a wide variety of applications thanks to its modular structure - a fire panel which grows as the needs of the user grow.
A
fire panel which can be used in different countries and is designed for fire alarm systems of different sizes? In the past, this would have been very difficult to achieve. Globally, there exists an enormous number of country-specific standards and regulations for security technology, all of which must be taken into consideration when planning and designing a fire alarm system. Even the European Standard EN 54 has not improved the situation as expected. This is compounded by the numerous additional national regulations and cultural norms in every country in the field of fire alarms. It is due to these differences that there is such a large number of different types of fire panels. Another reason for the large number of differently-sized fire panels is the differing number
of detectors, controllers, sounders etc. depending on the size of the fire alarm system. Every fire panel is installed and operated differently. This results in high costs for timeconsuming training for maintenance and operating personnel. The owner must also cover additional costs for storing the various spare parts depending on the type of fire alarm system he has. If the statutory regulations change or if the existing fire panel has to be removed due to expansion of the building, the net investment can prove to be very expensive. Solving the problem Neither manufacturers nor Specifiers and End-Users were happy with the status quo as described above. A new method of solving the problem had 77
FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
The new design: a fire panel based on the building set principle
to be found. How could a common denominator be found for all the different requirements which a new fire panel was expected to meet? Customer benefit had top priority: ● The fire panel has to be easy to expand ● It has to meet country-specific standards and guidelines ● The customer only has to buy the components that he actually requires ● A system which can be operated easily and intuitively ● Low training outlay, or none at all ● No need to store spare parts ● Inexpensive installation and initial set-up ● Rigid in installation and operation
The idea behind the design A fire panel based on the building block principle was developed. This consists of individual modules which can be combined together as necessary. The building block contains various types of housings, modules, power supply units and carrier units. These create the internal connection which is required in order to facilitate communication and the power supply between the modules. Every module is a logical functional unit. There is a variety of enclosures and modules that can be used to create the desired fire alarm control panel. A common internal bus system automatically connects the modules and power supply. Each module has a distinct function in the system. Country specific modules are available to customize the panel to any market. Encapsulated modules In the past, manufacturers of fire alarm systems provided a specific level of basic equipment which the customer could expand by purchasing optional
The new, robust modules in comparison with the PC boards used in the past 78
functional components. Expanding the basic equipment in this way was not an easy task. For example, the unprotected and delicate PC boards from which these functional components were made could be easily damaged through static discharge or incorrect handling. This is resolved in the new design where the functional units consist of completely encapsulated modules which are attached to panel rails. “Click and go” is the motto. Every module is built into a plastic housing and this makes it suitable for use on building sites. The PC board can no longer be touched; static discharge can cause no more damage. The pre-wired panel rails prevent wiring errors from occurring in the internal power supply and communication data bus.
Installation The installer gathers the modules required for the new fire panel. He is free to choose any modules he likes and to arrange them as he pleases as every module slot is identical. In line with the “click & go”, the modules are simply placed in position to create the new fire panel on site in a matter of seconds. Any combination of Modules is permitted. The Modules can be placed in any rail position. The easy-to-assemble terminal strips make it very easy to replace the modules at a later date: the modules are simply removed and then placed in position again. It is no longer necessary to disconnect the leads. This means that every fire panel is a unique fire panel but can be adapted flexibly to the changing needs of the End user. Initial set-up “Plug and Play” is the magic word here. Just like in a PC, the modules which have been inserted and the components which are attached to them are automatically recognized by the central control unit. This means there is no need to perform a time-consuming, expensive test of the entire system. The system can be programmed using a Windows based software program with a Windows interface. The program offers online assistance to the customers in various languges. With the The built-in diagnostic tool any fault can be analyzed in detail on the fire panel itself. It is possible to expand the fire alarm system at a later date without putting the existing system out of operation, because modules can be attached or removed while the “hot-pluggable” fire panel is still in operation. The most important component is the LSN module. A single two-wire line ensures both the power supply as well as communication between the connected devices. In case of cable breakage, the faulty loop section is isolated automatically, prompting the loop structure to be turned into a two-stub configuration. The LSN 300 module offers a current consumption of up to 300mA which increases the number of connectable elements on the loop strongly. With the LSN A module it is possible to power the loop with 1500 mA. With a INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
FIRE PROTECTION: FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
maximum loop length of 3000m this module offers high flexibility for system design.
Operation A user-friendly interface allows a quick and effective navigation through the software in case of faults or alarms. The 5.7 inch touch screen can be easily operated by using the finger or the attached pen. A clearly laid out program interface and easy-to-follow menu navigation make for easy operation. All major functions such as diagnosis options and complete call-up of all incoming messages and events are built into the system. The software also allows the user to sort the connected elements into different groups in a number of different ways. In this way, the user can assign functions quickly and easily to entire element groups without having to call up each element individually. With more than 10 languages in one panel, the same device can be used in various countries without time consuming SW download. From small to big There are scarcely any limits on how far the system can be expanded. Fire panels can be generated from a field bus line with up to 254 elements to a maximum of 32 field bus lines with 4096 elements. Panel networking You can connect remote keypads and network the control panels of the 5000 Series by means of the flexible and secure CAN bus technology, a technology that has been proven million fold in the car industry. The network operates on a peer-to-peer basis with its structures ensuring reliable functionality even if errors should occur. The CAN interfaces for networking are already integrated in the panel controller. Different loop topologies ensure that the system is extremely flexible, meaning that you can adapt it perfectly to meet your requirements. You can set up zones within the network to facilitate well-regulated administration. Integration in Building Management Systems The 5000 Series is connected to the Building Management System (BIS) by means of an Ethernet interface and the OPC protocol. It is already integrated in the Panel Controller, no additional interface module is required. The control panel is an integral component of the BIS, where you have extensive options for controlling the fire system. The Modular Fire Panel can be connected to super-ordinate control panels by means of the UGM module, thus providing integration into the environment of large-scale alarm systems. Remote control The new remote control unit FMR-5000 is connected to the control panel by means of the CAN bus, and allows complete controlling of the control panel or the panel network. The user interface and operation correspond to the control panel, so you can use it easily without the need for additional training. Not only does FMR-5000 offer a high level of functionality and a handsome design, INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
The intelligent fire panel which grows to suit your needs
it can either be mounted flush with the wall, or onto the wall itself.
Benefits and cost savings As the fire panel can be customized to suit the customer’s needs, the customer only pays for what he actually requires – unlike other products where he has to pay for more capability than needed. The modules and the operating unit with touch screen are used as common components – both small and large fire alarm systems. Training is hardly needed thanks to the intuitive user interface and the fact that the same operation is valid for all system sizes from installations with one loop up to huge networking systems. The new parts from the building set also act as spare parts for all fire panels, so it is no longer necessary to keep a separate supply of spare parts. In conclusion The module Concept allows fire alarm systems to be used for a wide range of applications, regardless of their size or structure. The new fire panel design reduces the number of different panels and panel components, by using the same components for all panel sizes. The modular concept principle lowers procurement, storage, training and expansion costs for all involved parties, while also reducing the time required for installation, maintenance and training. With at the same time increasing the flexibility in system design and installation. The modular concept allows the user to continuously growing his fire system together IFP with his business.
Remote Keypad 79
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27 INTERNATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION
Integrator... Fire Detection
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Monitoring and control by icon-based interaction. Full colour drawings and photographs originating from almost any Windows drawing package can be imported. Electronic mimic/repeater built-in.
Many hundreds of user-defined maps/operator instruction pages are available for added information when alarms occur.
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